André-Pierre Gignac Prepares for a New Chapter with TigresAt 39 years old one of the most iconic figures in Mexican soccer is getting ready to take a new direction in his career After a successful tenure as a striker for Tigres de Monterrey the Frenchman has announced his intention to play one more season before taking on a leadership role within the club many questioned his decision to join a lesser-known league especially since he was at the peak of his career in Europe the move turned out to be a massive success and winning titles such as the CONCACAF Champions League in 2020 with the end of his playing career approaching the Frenchman is ready to take a new step within the club’s structure "I feel capable of playing one more season and still have strength I believe I can still contribute," Gignac said after his latest performance in the Apertura tournament his mind is already focused on what’s next after retirement Although his farewell from the pitch seems imminent I find it very exciting to be part of a board of directors that wants to keep winning titles Gignac has big plans for his future within the club Tigres announced that the veteran forward would take on the role of "sporting president," a key position overseeing all sporting aspects Gignac’s former teammate and current club manager Although the possibility of Gignac becoming a coach was initially considered his passion for sports management and club development seems to have led him in a different direction Gignac is determined to leave a lasting legacy—not just on the field but also in the club’s leadership it seems that Tigres de Monterrey is ready to continue its success and establish itself as one of the strongest clubs in Mexico and beyond While many convenience stores aim to upsell familiar products, 7-Eleven aims to introduce customers to new or innovative items with its retail media network via personalized ads across various channels “We're an immediate consumption retailer and we're a promotional retailer," said Neha Nayyar senior director of retail media and shopper marketing at 7-Eleven “So success primarily is driving more units the convenience channel is a primary channel for new product introduction.” at CSP’s Retail Media Network Forum on Monday in Dallas A lot of vendors launch new products in convenience stores because customers are more interested in buying one unit of a drink or snack to try instead of a whole pack at a grocery store “If it's a new innovation and you're trying to get trial that's very different than someone who's trying to get a customer to buy two units of a product,” said Nayyar Related:Sam’s Club has big plans for its retail media platform 7-Eleven and its vendors measure incremental return on ad spend (iROAS) to track metrics “Let's try to focus on that one KPI and really align on that so we can learn and grow from that campaign,” she said Traditional ROAS (return on ad spend) measures total revenue generated but it doesn’t differentiate between customers who would have purchased anyway and those whose behavior was changed by the ad a lot of understanding what [consumers] interests are and what makes them tick,” said Mijares It's a lot of making sure you're in front of them all the time educating them on how you can calculate things like iROAS and ROAS But it's just mutually beneficial for everyone when all parties are on the table together.” Related:Incrementality is key to measuring success in retail media This story was originally featured on CSP Daily News Registered in England & Wales with number 01835199 This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application He attended Annunciation Catholic High school where met his future wife and many life-long friends.  He was attached to the 97th Infantry where he served throughout Europe including Italy He was involved with liberating Flossenburg Concentration Camp as well as Buchenwald and Dachau Paul received a two-star Combat infantry badge and was awarded the Bronze Star His military experiences would affect his life in many profound and interesting ways of which he shared with his family and friends Paul was discharged from the Army after first being sent to Japan at war’s end He worked in the Detroit area as a designer of special machinery for many years He would eventually take a job with Owens-Illinois in Toledo he met many friends that would share his various interests throughout his life He loved reading about American History and our founding fathers roll in the establishment of early America auto and motorcycle enthusiast as well as a trap and target shooter using his knowledge and creative abilities to create all sorts of things including furniture gadgets and special use items for his many hobbies He was always tinkering and improving the things he owned.  He lived a full life and spent many hours with family and friends Family and friends may visit at Newcomer Funeral Home we will get prepared to go to Ottawa Hills Memorial Park for a graveside service with military honors.  Memorial contributions may be made to The American Heart Association.  To share a memory of Paul or leave a special message for his family Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Precious MetalsAll Metal Quotes The striker has been questioned for his performance and attitude since his return to Mexico Hernández has scored three goals since his return to Chivas The former Galaxy player has one goal in eight matches El Rebaño sits in 10th place in the Clausura 2025 BROSSARD – The Canadiens announced on Monday that forwards Lucas Condotta and Brandon Gignac have been loaned to the Laval Rocket The two were placed on waivers for the purpose of the loan on Sunday and went unclaimed Saturday’s marquee Leagues Cup match between Tigres UANL and Inter Miami CF will feature arguably the two best teams – and the two best strikers – at the tournament A clash of legendary goal-scorers awaits as André-Pierre Gignac and Luis Suárez face off at Houston’s NRG Stadium (8 pm ET | Apple TV - MLS Season Pass) Here’s how both icons measure up ahead of their highly-anticipated showdown Leagues Cup bracket Contento de empezar ganando la @LeaguesCup! 👊🏼Vamos @InterMiamiCF! 🩷 pic.twitter.com/e5hKsLRVsY Considered by many to be the greatest striker of his generation Suárez has been scoring goals at an elite level for both club and country for nearly 20 years a product of famed Uruguayan club Nacional English Premier League and Spanish LaLiga Golden Boot winner; a five-time Spanish league champion; a UEFA Champions League winner; and a Copa América champion with Uruguay Suárez joined fellow Barça legends Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba to complete Miami’s “Big Four” over the winter producing 12g/5a in 18 league appearances to help guide the Herons to the Supporters’ Shield lead Suárez added to his historic tally at this year’s Copa América netting a late goal against Canada to force a PK shootout and help Los Charrúas capture third place at the tournament He’s kept the goals coming in Leagues Cup, sealing a 2-0 victory over LIGA MX’s Club Puebla as defending champions Miami got their title defense off to a winning start Quite possibly the most transformative LIGA MX signing in recent history Gignac helped usher in a period of unparalleled success at Tigres upon his arrival in 2015 after stints in his native France with boyhood club FC Lorient Gignac helped Los Auriazules capture the Apertura crown and reach the Copa Libertadores final – missing the decisive 3-0 return leg loss at River Plate of Argentina after suffering an injury in the first leg Four more domestic titles followed for Gignac and Tigres The former French international also led Tigres to the 2020 Concacaf Champions Cup title earning a spot in that year’s FIFA Club World Cup They fell just short of the title after dropping a heartbreaking 1-0 final loss to German Bundesliga titans Bayern Munich Tigres remain as strong a force as ever and are currently tied for first place with an undefeated 3W-0L-1D record (10 points) the club’s all-time leading scorer has contributed two tallies in those four matches Gignac also recently helped the LIGA MX All-Stars top their MLS counterparts last week in the 2024 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target further distinguishing himself the night before in the MLS All-Star Skills Challenge presented by AT&T There are tons of legendary players in Liga MX's history Liga MX is a league filled with personalities and living legends who can find those moments of magic that keep us watching broadcasters roll grainy footage of the glory days but others are still playing each weekend in Liga MX as the league looks to keep its cultural and sporting relevance in a new age as we approach the end of the first quarter of the 21st century GOAL US is on hand to rank the top 25 best Liga MX players of the last 25 years: You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site surrounded by her loving family on January 13 The family would like to thank the staff of Chatham Kent Hospice for all their dedicated care and compassion Memorial Visitation will be held at WINDSOR CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME - Banwell Chapel, 11677 Tecumseh Rd. E. (519-253-7235) on Sunday, January 19, 2025, from 2-5 pm and 7-9 pm. Visitation will continue on Monday, January 20, 2025, from 11 am until time of Memorial Service at 12:00 pm in the Chapel. In kindness, donations in memory of Dolores may be made to Breast Cancer Canada Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared with the family at www.windsorchapel.com Get Directions Central Chapel | (519) 253-72341700 Tecumseh Rd Banwell Chapel | (519) 253-723511677 Tecumseh Rd South Chapel | (519) 253-72363048 Dougall Avenue Proudly Canadian | Owned & Operated by Arbor Memorial Inc BROSSARD – The Canadiens announced on Sunday that forwards Lucas Condotta and Brandon Gignac have been placed on waivers The purpose of the moves is to loan the pair to the club’s AHL affiliate Condotta played two preseason games with Montreal at training camp this year; Gignac suited up for one Laval’s training camp begins on Tuesday, October 1, at Place Bell, with 27 players already set to report, following Saturday’s roster moves Sign in Join now, it's FREE! Rosie Elena Gignac (nee Clayton) – 1927-2024 affectionately known as Rose aka Feisty Rose Rose's journey through life was marked by the love she shared with her family Rose's legacy continues through her children Robert Gignac (Janice) Kenneth Gignac and stepdaughter Janet Aikens (Gerry) She was the cherished grandmother of Timothy and Mary (Jon) as well as a proud great-grandmother of Mikaela Treasured by many great-great grandchildren Rose's life was a testament to her loving and great-grandchildren as they were the light of her life and she took every opportunity to express her love and support for each of them The memories created during family gatherings and simple everyday moments will be cherished and remembered by all who were fortunate enough to be a part of her life Rose had an infectious spirit that drew people to her She was an active member of Legion #374 Richards Landing for 60 years She possessed a natural ability to make others feel valued and loved leaving a lasting impact on countless lives as she consistently put the needs of others before her Rose’s life was not without its challenges yet she faced each one with resilience and grace Her strength and determination were an inspiration to her family and spirited nature will live on through the stories shared by those who knew her and the lives she touched but we take solace in knowing that Rose has been reunited with her beloved family members who have passed before her and that she will be watching over us A private family service will be held at a later date Arrangements entrusted to O’Sullivan Funeral Home More In Memoriam > KANATA – The Canadiens announced on Saturday that forwards Lucas Condotta and Brandon Gignac were recalled from the Laval Rocket in the American Hockey League The roster moves come ahead of Saturday’s game against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre Gignac and Trudeau are expected to be in the lineup With no shortage of famous folk set to blow out candles on cakes all over the world today the Rumour Mill spent the last few days deep underground in the Guardian archives department peering at little tubes of microfiche before deciding not to bother opening them so we look to the internet instead in our bid to find out what else of interest happened on this day in history that George Washington became a master mason on this day in 1753 while 4 August is also the aniversary of Anne Frank complaining so loudly about breaking the nib of the pencil she was using to write her diary went to investigate and found her family in that Amsterdam attic Racing driver Juan Fangio won his final race capturing the world driving championship for the fifth consecutive year on this day in 1957 while today is also the 26th anniversary of New York Yankee star Dave Winfield being arrested for "causing unnecessary suffering to an animal" after accidentally killing a seagull during a warm-up tomorrow is the 26th anniversary of the charges being dropped once the highest-paid player in baseball history The Rumour Mill can only hope that future generations of football speculation peddlars struggling badly for a hook on which to hang their daily column end up commemorating this as the date in history that Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso finally signed for Real Madrid Although the clubs are believed to have reached an £8m impasse over their valuation of the player the transfer is almost certain to go through and different reports have the Merseysiders agreeing a deal in principle with Roma to take £25m-rated Alberto Aquilani as a replacement for the Spaniard the agent of the Standard Liège midfielder Steven Defour claims his client is in the frame to go to whichever of the two clubs ends up Alonso-less It would be predictable, uninspired and downright lazy to introduce a snippet of transfer speculation linking the Porto striker Hulk with a lame gag about Chelsea's Premier League rivals turning green with envy now that it's emerged that Roman Abramovich is considering paying the £40m buy-out clause on the contract of the Brazilian Now it's time to move swiftly along to the snippet in the Sun linking Chelsea's occasionally inspired Ivorian international Salomon Kalou with an £8m move to Arsenal The news that the Arsenal boss Arsène Wenger is also interested in buying Toulouse striker and last season's Ligue 1 top-scorer André-Pierre Gignac will come as a relief to Gooners everywhere many of whom were beginning to despair of their manager being linked with the purchase of anything more interesting than a newspaper a pint of milk or a loaf of bread this summer or wherever he happens to be at the moment Wesley Sneijder's agent has been accosting bewildered passers-by on the street telling them that the Real Madrid midfielder is not – repeat not – going to Internazionale With Aston Villa also chasing the Dutchman this will come as good news for Martin O'Neill .. at least until he realises that a footballer who isn't interested in upping sticks and moving to Milan Having been told that he doesn't feature in the plans of the Benfica manager Jorge Jesus has been hawking himself around the Eredivisie .. not that he's prepared to play for just anyone "I do not say that I want to [go to] Ajax and Feyenoord," he said I would find it wonderful if I could get a chance at NAC Breda and FC Groningen Anywhere." If your five-a-side team's a man down and no one else can help .. Hull City are "eyeing" the Celta Vigo striker Kamel Ghilas a disturbing turn of phrase that for some reason conjures up images of Phil Brown wearing a very short silk kimono that we don't really need infiltrating our head at the best of times today's Sun reveals that Emmanuel Adebayor has bought Ronaldo's old love-shack in Alderly Edge for £5.5m after outbidding his new team-mates Kolo Touré not to mention the Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia And to think some people labour under the delusion that Premier League footballers suffer from a stunning lack of originality A new chair has been elected for the Windsor Police Services Board the ward 6 city councillor and former vice-chair has officially taken over the role from Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens after being voted in during the board meeting Thursday afternoon Due to provincial legislation changes that came into effect on April 1 former police service members are now prohibited from sitting on a board in the city they served Dilkens would be unable to serve as chair moving forward Dilkens spent 15 years with the Windsor Police Auxiliary where he was a Staff Sergeant before joining council in 2006 "It's an opportunity to serve again at the board level and it is a real privilege to serve as the chair." She says it's going to take time to adjust to the updates from the Community Safety and Policing Act "We're going to notice the changes in the ongoing training that we receive it's always interesting and police service in any community is serious business." She adds that the challenges they face are not getting any easier "When you think of our frontline officers that are out everyday dealing with mental health issues issues of addiction which are health issues they're identified as health issues under the Health Act Gignac previous served on the board from 2011 to 2019 and then returned to the board once again in 2022 Sophia Chisholm has been elected as vice-chair Chisholm is currently the Senior Vice-President Finance at Windsor Family Credit Union (WFCU) and was previously on the board from 2016 to 2018 Paul Pogba in talks with D.C. United over MLS move Chicago Fire planning star-studded team with De Bruyne is entering the final year of his contract and the Galaxy are facing difficulties in retaining him due to salary cap restrictions Without a designated player slot available they are unable to offer the kind of wages that Tigres could with reports suggesting the Liga MX club is prepared to triple or even quadruple his salary The Serbian forward enjoyed his best MLS season this year leading the Galaxy to the MLS Cup title with 21 goals and seven assists in 33 appearances He was particularly instrumental in the playoffs scoring six goals and providing two assists in just 397 minutes including a goal in the final against NY Red Bulls Joveljic joined LA Galaxy through the U-22 initiative meaning he will count for a higher salary cap hit whether he signs a new contract or not the club has been making salary cap adjustments including trading Jalen Neal (CF Montréal) Joveljic would join a Tigres side stacked with talent including club legend André-Pierre Gignac Mexican internationals Diego Lainez and Uriel Antuna and a squad currently leading the Liga MX Clausura standings Having previously played for Eintracht Frankfurt Joveljic could now be set for a new challenge in Mexico depending on how negotiations unfold in the coming days Nogomania.com is a premier destination for football enthusiasts delivering fresh and in-depth content from the heart of the Ex-Yu region's football scene We're standing up for science. You can help Climate change is one of the most devastating problems humanity has ever faced—and the clock is running out The energy choices we make today could make or break our ability to fight climate change Our transportation system is outdated and broken—and it needs to change The US food system should be providing healthy They’re the most dangerous invention the world has ever seen Democracy and science can be powerful partners for the public good—and both are under attack James Gignac is Midwest Policy Director for the Climate & Energy program at the Union of Concerned Scientists Gignac served as environmental and energy counsel and as assistant attorney general to Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan where he worked on a variety of regulatory and litigation matters involving clean energy Gignac was Midwest director for the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal Campaign and also represented private sector clients in environmental matters with the law firm Mayer Brown LLP Gignac earned a JD from Harvard Law School and a BA in history and political science from Albion College He previously served as a board member with Chicago Market and volunteers weekly with the Care for Real food pantry in Chicago's Edgewater neighborhood He has been quoted in the Chicago Tribune and U.S For text alerts, text "SCIENCE" to 67369 or sign up online Receive urgent alerts about opportunities to defend science. Recurring messages. Reply STOP to cancel. Msg & data rates may apply. Terms, Conditions, and Privacy Policy Write today and tell Citi leaders to stop enabling the harms of the fossil fuel industry Trump’s presidency is a grave threat to science-based decisionmaking and the safety of our planet and communities Help UCS mobilize to protect science and scientists Make a gift to the Science Emergency Fund today a lifelong UCS member stepped up to give $100 for every new monthly gift Will you help us defend science against Trump’s attacks MAKE A NEW MONTHLY GIFTt Make an annual gift instead We use cookies to improve your experience. By continuing, you accept our use of cookies. Learn more The French striker has fired his club to unprecedented heights as he leads them into the final of the Club World Cup against Bayern Munich That is a name Jose Francisco Torres had never heard before men's national team World Cup veteran a club that is on the precipice of reaching the top of the Mexican game They had topped the table during the that year's Clausura only to fall in the first round of the playoffs to eventual champions Santos Laguna but still so far away from what could have been their second title in four years one that would have truly established them as an elite force on home soil Tigres made a splash by bringing in what they thought was the missing piece: Gignac European players generally do not pop up in Liga MX and they certainly did not head there in their relative prime Emilio Butragueno and Luis Garcia had once called the league home as they closed out their respective playing careers So too did Portuguese icon Eusebio way back when with the former Benfica star making a brief stop in Monterrey as part of his late-career world tour Gignac's transfer has become a turning point in Tigres' long history His arrival began a period of unprecedented success one that has vaulted the France star into a space all of his own in Mexico's sporting culture He has led the club to four Liga MX titles and, most recently, a CONCACAF Champions League crown. He is the club's all-time leading goalscorer with 145 goals he may just crack Liga MX's top 10 despite spending the first half of his career in his homeland His playoff exploits have earned him the nickname "Mr and his desire to truly embrace his adopted country's culture has made him a beloved figure but across the Atlantic he was far from a household name when rumors began swirling that Gignac was set to become Tigres' next big signing Torres did what anyone else would do: he looked him up on YouTube "Nobody knew who he was," Torres tells Goal "but when I heard he was coming to the team the first thing I did was start looking up YouTube videos to see who I was going to play with and how I could help him out scoring goals "The first thing I saw was just the YouTube videos I knew he was a killer in front of the goal and that was a good thing for us because we needed a forward like that on the team." Gignac had netted his first goal against Brazilian side Internacional helping send Tigres to the Copa Libertadores final Tigres would fall short against Argentine giants River Plate but very soon the trophies did start to flow Gignac scored 11 goals during his first Apertura campaign in Mexico He scored in each leg of the quarter-finals against Chiapas eventually pushing Tigres through to a final against Pumas the Frenchman scored a goal in each leg and eventually converted once again in the penalty shootout securing the first of several titles in the process Torres' first impression could not have been more accurate: Gignac was exactly what Tigres needed establishing Tigres as a legitimate powerhouse both domestically and across North America "I knew he was going to do great things," says Torres who departed Tigres in 2019 after winning five trophies alongside Gignac He's a guy that works hard on and off the field I have a good relationship with basically all my team-mates but he's just a different guy that's on a different level." Part of the allure of Gignac was that he chose both Tigres and Mexico even more than Paris Saint-Germain stars Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani in that campaign at the age of 29 Gignac decided on Tigres as his next destination Gignac did not treat his time in Liga MX as a stepping stone nor a layover He immersed himself fully in the country and its culture He embraced his role in Mexican soccer off the field while dominating on it endearing himself to team-mates and fans alike “I arrived in 2015 with Andre and [Javier] Aquino," Mexico international Jurgen Damm tells Goal "Gignac already more or less spoke a little Spanish "He loves to be very good at everything and the truth is that he wanted to dominate the language from the beginning because he was going to be in Mexico for a long time so it would be easier for him to be able to communicate in Spanish he dived right into learning it and nowadays speaks like any Mexican “I believe that if something has to do with his success His way of relating to other teammates is impressive His treatment [of his teammates] has always been very good since he arrived he has been the same guy: a balanced person He is someone who talks a lot in the dressing room He supports young people and experienced players a lot." there was still one key achievement missing on Gignac's resume: the CONCACAF Champions League He had guided Tigres to the final three times in four seasons only to fall to Mexican rivals Club America In a CCL campaign that stretched nearly a full year due to the coronavirus pandemic Gignac once again fired Tigres to the competition's final game a Mexico international that has been competing with Gignac for the title of best player on the continent After going behind early in the second half to a Diego Rossi strike Mexico international Hugo Ayala leveled the scoreline in the 72nd minute as well as who would be the man to provide it Gignac's 84th-minute winner was a dagger the long-awaited release of euphoria for a team that had won just about everything but this competition It was fitting that it was the veteran forward that had lifted Tigres to new heights only because he had done it so often before "Finally," Gignac said moments after the match with an exhale "We finally won that f*cking cup!" No Mexican team has ever won this tournament. In fact, no CONCACAF team had ever even reached the final. Tigres' tournament run began with a win over South Korean outfit Ulsan Hyundai with Gignac scoring both goals in a 2-1 win after his side had fallen behind in the first half He backed that up by scoring the only goal of the game against Copa Libertadores champions Palmeiras in the semi-finals with Brazilian legend Kaka hailing him as "an amazing player" after his latest dominant display a team that is almost universally recognized as the world's best Reaching a date with Bayern is uncharted water for a Mexican club "Not only is Gignac is a world-class player; they have a top goalkeeper like Nahuel [Guzman] the midfield with [Guido] Pizarro and Carioca and forwards now with the new additions like Carlos [Gonzalez]," Damm says "I feel that it is a very strong and competitive team with many possibilities to have a great tournament and provide a surprise to the whole world." but anyone who has followed Gignac's time in Mexico can see it coming It is just another chance at a legacy-defining moment for a player that now has a career full of them But even if Club World Cup golry does not come He is arguably the most important signing in Liga MX history a player that has done everything that ever could have been asked of him since the moment he stepped off the plane "One thing you can tell somebody that doesn't know him he's a top goalscorer wherever," Torres says Right now he's broken records at Tigres "I think he's the best player in Mexico right now Damm adds: "He's a role model wherever he is seen He is the most important signing in the history of Tigres." Andre Pierre-Gignac is now a name that those that follow Mexican soccer will never forget TORONTO — Iberostar Cuba Hotels & Resorts has a message for Canadian travel advisors – and it’s straight from the hotel company’s own Business Development Director Cuba is open for business and ready for winter sun-seekers and that includes Iberostar Cuba properties across the island Iberostar Cuba Hotels & Resorts has 14 resorts in Varadero Marketing and Communication Director for Iberostar Cuba Hotels & Resorts also weighed in with an update after Cuba’s challenges in recent weeks marked by power outages and damage caused by hurricanes Oscar and Rafael in Eastern and Western Cuba Iberostar Cuba Hotels and Resorts is pleased to announce that its hotels remain fully operational The last quarter of 2024 “has been a period of harsh tests for Cuba but it has also been an opportunity to overcome obstacles,” adds Velázquez “That is possible because all our hotels are equipped with back-up electric generators These gensets provide stable electricity service (including for air conditioners) hygiene and food safety according to international standards We can also affirm that we do not lack any food since the existence of an own supplier for Iberostar Cuba guarantees adequate stocks of all the necessary products After the multiple challenges we have faced we are stronger and better prepared to receive clients from all over the world,” he says For Iberostar Cuba’s Business Development Director in the Canadian market the geographical proximity of Cuba to Canada is a huge selling point where flying from Toronto to Vancouver is close to five hours in just three hours you can arrive in Varadero so you can be in one of the best rated beaches in the world,” says Zaldívar No less important is the deep bond established between Cubans and Canadians over the years “Let’s not forget the people – big-hearted and friendly Cubans – who will make you feel right at home and I can tell you I feel the love of Canadians when I say I am a Cuban born Cuba is a destination that cannot be missed in your travel list.” From its unique culture and rich history to its beautiful beaches and lush landscapes “Cuba offers an unparalleled travel experience that is both unique and unforgettable,” says Zaldívar say an Iberostar Cuba getaway offers the perfect mix of urban and beach experiences visiting Havana and Varadero in a single trip is a perfect example “It was a magnificent opportunity not only to visit historic Havana sites and having a tour of Old Havana but also to experience the quality and world-class service of Iberostar Selection Parque Central We were also able to combine this trip with an unforgettable time at Varadero beach as well,” says Pacheco the best combination was a resort stay at the Iberostar Selection Varadero with a few days at the city hotel Iberostar Selection Parque Central in Havana “If you truly like the authentic Cuba experience you must do the combination stay,” says Gignac Gignac suggests starting a Cuba vacation with two or three days in Havana “This Cuban city has a million and one stories to tell From the beautiful historical architecture to the educational walking of Old Havana And you must enjoy a daiquiri or two from Hemingway’s favourite bar in Havana: the Floridita which is very close to Iberostar Selection Parque Central Then conclude your Cuban vacation with a rejuvenating stay at one of our stunning all-inclusive resorts.” Clients should know that the 2024-2025 winter season will bring an important milestone: the opening of Iberostar Selection La Habana will be star number 20 in the Iberostar Cuba portfolio NEW PROMOTIONS & TRAVEL TIPS FROM THE ‘INSPIRATION CUBA’ BLOG Iberostar Cuba started the winter season in fine fashion launching a sale that started as ‘Black Friday’ and soon became ‘Black Month’ with significant discounts for bookings made Nov Clients (and their travel advisors) can keep up with all things Iberostar Cuba using the company’s ‘Inspiration Cuba’ blog featuring personal and relatable stories for would-be travellers Says the company: “In this new communication channel sustainable practices and destination tips can be found Inspiration Cuba explores the rhythms and sensations that will make a stay on the big island of the Caribbean a memorable experience write down tips and share them so that an increasing number of clients are convinced the best vacations ever are those booked with Iberostar Cuba.” Travel tips include the great views from the sixth floor of the Iberostar Grand Packard with the best sightlines of the Bay of Havana the Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro and La Cabaña Fortress “The terrace invites you to enjoy a cocktail which blends with the blue of the capital’s harbour the horizon at eye level and the charm of that beautiful area of the city,” says the company ‘Inspiration Cuba’ blog users might also find out more about Iberostar’s Coral hotels These smaller adults-only hotels offer butler service for a personalized experience “We always say that our Coral clients book one hotel and enjoy two since these guests have access to all the services and facilities of the Selection hotels We have Coral hotels in the Keys in the north of Cuba and in Holguin is 90 minutes from Santa Clara airport and offers 46 villas Says Iberostar: “The Coral experience is ideal for travellers seeking the peace of the blue sea and the proximity of attentive and personalized service.” For more information about Iberostar Cuba Hotels & Resorts click here. Villa accommodation at Iberostar Coral Ensenachos Exclusive access to Canadian travel industry news Subscribe Now There’s a new but familiar face at the head of the Windsor Police Services Board table Jo-Anne Gignac was elected chair of the board on Thursday after Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens Gignac told reporters after Thursday’s board meeting that she expects her time at the head of the table will involve contending with some ongoing themes Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience Among them are the unique impact on policing that comes with being a major border city and the increasing strain that mental health and addictions issues are putting on police resources and front-line officers “The challenges are not getting easier,” said Gignac who was first elected to city council in 2003 we’ve got to encourage our front-line workers and our senior leadership teams just to hold it The first Windsor Police Services Board meeting of the year began Thursday with the selection of a new chair and vice-chair senior vice-president of finance at Windsor Family Credit Union (WFCU) She returned to the Windsor Police Services Board in 2023 after previously serving from 2016 to 2018 Chisholm is also a board member with the Windsor Port Authority Before the process to choose the chair began Dilkens asked that no one nominate him for the job stating it was time someone else took over but that will also come to an end next year Provincial legislation that took effect on April 1 prohibits former members of a police service from sitting on a board in the city where they served Dilkens was a Windsor Police Service auxiliary officer from 1992 to 2006 He must resign his seat on the board when the current term ends in 2026 The legislation — the Community Safety and Policing Act 2019 — replaced the Ontario Police Services Act who served on the police board from 2011 to 2019 and returned in December 2022 said that new legislation will also be something she contends with as chair “We’re still dealing with the newness of the Community Safety and Policing Act update,” said Gignac “Our secretary had 25 policy amendments to make for us to be in compliance “And I expect that as we move through we’re going to notice changes in ongoing training that we receive twilhelm@postmedia.com transmission or republication strictly prohibited This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy You can manage saved articles in your account Tigres forward Andre-Pierre Gignac has said that he would like to seek Mexican citizenship through naturalisation because he feels at home in Mexico and because his son was born in Monterrey left Marseille for Tigres last summer and helped his new club reach the Copa Libertadores final and win the Liga MX Apertura title Tigres also made the CONCACAF Champions League final although they lost to fellow Mexican side America they crashed out of the Mexican playoffs after losing 4-3 on aggregate in quarterfinals to bitter crosstown rivals Monterrey His form earned him a recall to the France national team Gignac and the Euro 2016 hosts began their first summer training camp in Biarritz Les Bleus have been drawn in Group A alongside Albania Romania and Switzerland and they debut on June 10 vs Gignac has made his comments at a time when Liga MX owners are poised to pass a resolution that would permit a combined total of 10 foreigners and naturalised Mexican citizens in each first-division club Mexico has a two-year residency requirement for football players who wish to become naturalised "I am very proud to be a new Mexican because my son was born in Monterrey," Gignac said during an interview conducted in both French and Spanish at the French embassy in Mexico "I hope that within a year I can obtain Mexican citizenship as well It would make me proud because I feel right at home here My four-year-old daughter now speaks Spanish She has been in school for six months and she speaks very good Spanish I hope to have many more years in Monterrey and in Mexico as well." Representar en la @UEFAEURO mi @TigresOficial, mis compañeros, mi aficion, @LIGABancomerMX y el pais Mexico es un orgullo! #FiersdetreBleus - Gignac Andre-pierre (@10APG) May 12, 2016 Gignac added that he is proud to be an ambassador for French football "My intention when I decided to play in Mexico was to create visibility for both leagues Liga MX is not very well known and in Mexico -- unless one buys the matches [of Ligue 1] to watch Memo Ochoa [who is now in Malaga] play -- I don't think fans here know the French league So that is why I am proud and happy to give Mexico a good image of my home country and also to provide a good image of Mexico to France as well," he said He said that his fellow Les Bleus always have many questions about Mexico for him not just about football but about the country and its people "I always say good things because that is how I feel and I can say that this country has captivated me," he said "I hope to open the door for other French players He added that he has friends and knows other players who are interested in coming to Liga MX "because of the quality of life and also as I have said: Here the people are very friendly and respectful I am very happy that there are more French players who want to get involved in the Mexican league." He said he hopes French students and coaches will follow suit "That is the attitude that drove me to pick this country: to open doors I hope to open doors for others from France who want to learn about Mexican football it's language and it is truly because I have fallen in love with Mexico." Liga MX owners meet on May 25-26 to determine a new limit for all players born outside of Mexico instead of the current five foreigners and unlimited naturalised Mexicans currently allowed More than 30 percent of players in the Mexican League for Apertura 2015 were not born in Mexico 55 naturalised citizens and 18 players who have dual citizenship Six teams have 10 or more players who were not born in Mexico: Tijuana Tijuana began the trend of dual-citizenship players by registering players born of Mexican parents as Mexico nationals The club have the most non-Mexico born players in the top division Maxine was a devoted and long-time employee of Elcan Optical Technologies following in her father's footsteps at a young age and continuing on to a long and fulfilling career She loved to fish and garden and took pride in her flower beds We pray that she now forever catches the big fish and plays endless games of euchre with her dad Maxine was a strong and brave ray of sunshine to everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her She carried herself through her cancer battle with such bravery and grace always having a glowing smile and a few cheeky jokes making all those around her laugh and see the bright side of life.  We take comfort in knowing Maxine is now able to delight in our Lord and is reunited in Heaven with predeceased family who she so deeply missed We would like to express our deep gratitude to the amazing staff and volunteers at Hospice Huronia Tomkins House who truly enveloped Maxine and her family in love and care in her final months She was able to live her last weeks with dignity allowing her and her family to make memories and find a sense of peace and comfort in her final days guidance and professionalism throughout her treatment and prognosis we would like to thank the many loving home care nurses and staff at the Cancer Centre at RVH who assisted her with treatment and care over the years.  Unfathomable men and women whose exploits on and off the pitch keep opponents and teammates alike guessing Players whose downright unpredictability forces fans to fall in love with them In 2015, coming off the back of an impressive 21-goal haul for Marcelo Bielsa’s Marseille André-Pierre Gignac rejected El Loco’s offer to prolong his time on the French Riviera and did something thoroughly unexpected most notably from Italian giants Inter and Napoli as well as opportunities from Saudi Arabia were rejected out of hand in favour of a move to North America Turning down such offers ensured that Gignac had carved his name into the heart of every Tigers fan before he even kicked a ball Gignac was swarmed by fans as he touched down in Mexico. This was the first time a top European player had chosen a Liga MX side since Pep Guardiola, but this had a different feel to it While Guardiola was joining in the autumn of his career a player best described as a big man up top Here was a man who had left his comfort zone with the aim of taking a wildly different footballing culture by storm have a habit of looking down their noses at leagues outside the traditional big five While it’s fair to say that these nations boast the best players and an incredible amount of financial clout it’s unfair to suggest that they are the be-all and end-all Luchador masks with club and national team colours and full-back tattoos are often seen in the stands It’s a nation that takes the beautiful game very seriously I’ve come to win the league and the Libertadores.” Gignac’s arrival was as seamless as he could have hoped; he knew the language he had studied his teammates and opposition The forward meant business – and the desired opportunity to prove himself came right on cue Tigres had drawn tough Brazilian opposition in Internacional in the semi-finals of the Copa Libertadores the team from Porto Alegre proved too strong in their home fixture winning the game 2-1 and denting the Mexican club’s hope of reaching the final Tigres and Gignac only had one thing on their minds: revenge It took just 18 minutes for the forward to score his first goal for the club A well-timed jump and a powerful header caught out current Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson cupping his ears before jumping and punching the air The comeback was secured by a freak Gefferson own goal and a diving header from midfielder Egidio Arévalo cemented their spot in the final Gignac was within touching distance of his first piece of silverware with his new club already The final saw them come up against Argentine behemoths Like most finals in Central and South America The Copa Libertadores final is played over two legs Tigres failed to take advantage of their home support but underestimate the plucky Mexicans at your peril; after all stranger things have happened than Tigres heading to Argentina and getting a smash and grab victory Tigres were undoubtedly the underdogs so they needed to start well and keep their heads at all costs everything went to pot as soon as River’s first goal nestled in the onion bag just as the whistle was about to be blown for half-time The Tigres players drudged off for the interval heads hanging; you could tell that the goal had well and truly taken the wind from their sails which drew a sarcastic clap and laughs from Tigres goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán was deftly slotted away by Uruguayan midfielder Carlos Sánchez Just four minutes later came the final nail Centre-back Ramiro Funes Mori jumped well above everyone else to nod in a forlorn corner and finally put Gignac and Tigres out of their misery earned him nicknames like El Más Chingón (The Most Awesome) The Liga MX season is split into two halves Gignac had repaid the fans’ faith by leading his team to his first and the club’s fourth Mexican title He then followed that up by helping lift the Campeón de Campeones trophy in 2016 an individual prize awarded to the best player in Mexico He showed it when he asked me back into the national team,” said Gignac While he was no doubt playing second fiddle to Giroud he did manage to make six appearances during the tournament In the 93rd minute, as the game was in the balance, Gignac received the ball on the left-hand side of the six-yard box, turned Pepe inside out and got a shot off. He’d beaten Portugal goalkeeper Rui Patricio at his near post but the ball bounced off the woodwork and Antoine Greizmann was unable to latch onto the rebound Gignac was inches away from becoming the first player since the tournament’s inception based outside of Europe to score the winner in the final The striker returned to Mexico feeling fully vindicated The closure he received from his time with the national team showed on the pitch for his club While he couldn’t get his hands on the Euro 2016 trophy he couldn’t stop winning with Tigres lifting the Apertura in 2016 and 2017 and the Clausura in 2019 his 105th goal making him Tigres’ record goalscorer a large French flag tifo was unveiled by the fans and Gignac thanked them the only way he knew how: scoring a hat-trick in the opening 23 minutes The Tigres board also announced they had commissioned a statue of Mexican football’s greatest modern import there was a rather large elephant in the room: Tigres couldn’t seem to do it in the CONCACAF Champions League Mexican sides no longer compete in the Copa Libertadores following a reshuffling of the competition in 2017 meaning Gignac will never get the chance to scratch it off his list Three final defeats in four years had given Tigres the reputation of perennial bridesmaids with each defeat coming from domestic rivals it was beginning to feel like 2020 would be his last opportunity progression to the final was relatively straightforward Comfortable wins against New York City FC in the quarters and Olimpia of Honduras in the semis set up a final against LAFC and Mexican national treasure Gignac was initially an injury doubt for the final but there was no chance he was going to miss this COVID-19 meant the final had to be played in an empty stadium but the Frenchman didn’t take his foot off the gas Diego Rossi put the American outfit ahead on the hour mark with a deft lob in the six-yard box that Guzmán could do nothing about Tigres were in that all too familiar position once again they got the equaliser they deserved via a header from centre-back Hugo Ayala At 1-1 the impetus was with the Mexicans; what they needed was an experienced head to lead them to victory and he casually slotted the ball past Kenneth Vermeer in the LAFC goal before any defenders had the chance to close him down He may have made the goal look easy but there was nothing casual about his celebration bobbing and weaving through his teammates as they made desperate attempts to honour their talismanic forward You could tell from the look on his face that this goal Gignac’s Mexican adventure culminated in February 2021 with a Club World Cup final against Bayern Munich The credentials of the tournament are debated in Europe with many seeing it as little more than an inconvenience but this was an opportunity for Gignac to show the European elite that they are not the Alpha and the Omega the Germans won without really breaking a sweat In a corporate world where football has become commodified André-Pierre Gignac made a move that baffled many but his success and willingness to bring a different culture so close to his heart is one of the beautiful game’s greatest current narratives By Alex Roberts @APRoberts123 while there was a media scrum on hand to get the first statements from arguably the biggest signing in the history of Mexico's first division Gignac scored more goals than Edinson Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in Ligue 1 during 2014-15 in Ligue 1, and at 29 years old, Gignac has just come off arguably the best season of his career under Marcelo Bielsa at boyhood club Olympique Marseille The excitement in Mexico is understandable But the question sweeping soccer sites on the internet is why on earth would he want to spurn interest from the Premier League to join Tigres ahead of the Euro 2016 in France at which he would've had at least an outside chance of making the host nation's squad The reported wage of close to four million euros (4.5 million USD) annually surely doesn't hurt, especially as Marseille was said to be unwilling to match the striker's current salary in order to renew his contract It is a historic outlay for a club that has won only three league titles and is not considered one of Mexico's "big four." The additional attraction for Gignac has to be the fact that he will be worshipped by the Tigres faithful who fill their 40,000-capacity Estadio Universitario at every single home game One hastily put together sign at the airport read "Bienvenue Gignac," with an Eiffel Tower replacing the "A." It won't be the last show of affection toward Gignac who will be the focus of attention and the hero of Tigres fans -- known as being among the most loyal in Mexico organizing "invasions" to fill stadiums away from home and providing an atmosphere that is arguably the best in Liga MX He wouldn't have got a reception like he received on Thursday on arrival in, say, Birmingham or London and for a player with a history of doing things a little differently the sheer emotion and anticipation his signing has caused in Monterrey and Mexico has to be a pull factor a tournament that has a mystique about it in Europe and in which Tigres will face Brazil's Internacional (July 15 No Mexican club has ever won the tournament and there's no doubt the lure of making history would have appealed to the French striker the team has been crying out for an out-an-out number 9 and Gignac should fit ideally with coach Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti's side playing a possession-based game requiring a clinical finisher almost all of Gignac's 21 Ligue 1 goals were one-touch This doesn't seem like a gimmicky move; he can genuinely make an already good side a continental force Gignac may not be as famous as Queretaro's Ronaldinho and may not even be as marketable as most Designated Players that MLS signs but he's in much better form and condition to make an impact right now and over the next couple of years it is 28-year-old Sebastian Giovinco signing for Toronto FC from Juventus Tigres will be hoping for similar results on the field The deal has put the Liga MX's spending power and its potential on the map outside of North America. The wage for the average player in Liga MX is around $400,000 USD per year with Gignac now topping the list of earners Mexico isn't known as a league that can or is willing to go out and sign big stars to attract attention perhaps because money created in the domestic market and in the United States doesn't necessitate it but a steady stream of very good players have joined on the quiet over the few couple of years Argentine goalkeepers Agustin Marchesin (Santos Laguna) and Nahuel Guzman (Tigres) are full internationals Colombians Dorlan Pabon (Monterrey) and Darwin Quintero (Club America) are no slouches and the likes of Dario Benedetto (Club America) and Djaniny Tavares (Santos Laguna) could easily end up in Europe in the near future And then there is the league's ability to retain homegrown players, with only a handful of Mexicans playing in Europe, which obviously causes a separate debate over whether the national team suffers as a result. For example, in the current Copa America, there are more players from Liga MX than any other league with the Premier League second and Serie A in third The most obvious example came just last week when Mexico starlet Damm -- who has a European Union passport -- signed for Tigres and not Roma, reportedly simply because the offer from the Liga MX outfit was more lucrative Jorge Torres Nilo and many more who would surely be in Europe if they were from most other South American countries where domestic league salaries rank much lower than Liga MX or Club America and owning company Televisa he may not be the last European in his prime to make a shock move from the top echelons of the game in the Old Continent to Mexico in coming years BROSSARD – Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes announced on Sunday that the team has agreed to terms on a two-year two-way contract (2023-24 to 2024-25) with forward Brandon Gignac Gignac played 43 games with the Laval Rocket this season also served 36 penalty minutes so far in 2023-24 Gignac was tied for fifth in AHL scoring when he signed his contract Since making his professional debut in 2016-17 99 assists) in 267 career AHL games with Albany He joined the Canadiens organization on July 29 2021 after agreeing to terms on a contract with the Rocket who was selected in the third round (80th overall) by New Jersey in 2016 played one game with the Devils in 2018-19 ALABAMA - It took André-Pierre Gignac less than nine years to reach the mark. The Frenchman scored his 200th goal for Tigres in all competitions against León on Jan. 17, making him just the 3rd player in Liga MX history to score at least 200 goals for a single team. Here's a look at his highlights and some of the best records set by the legendary striker during his time in Nuevo León 'Monsieur' Gignac reached 175 Liga MX goals Only 12 players in history have scored more Liga MX goals than Gignac and he is just 15 goals shy of cracking into the top 10 Gignac's 15 goals helped Tigres win their 4th Liga MX title Gignac became Tigres' all-time leading scorer in 2019 surpassing Tomás Boy's record of 104 goals for the 'regios.' With a commanding header against Pumas Gignac scored his 105th goal for the club and having added 95 more to his collection ever since Only one man has scored more goals in Liga MX finals than André-Pierre Gignac: José Saturnino Cardozo His nine goals for Toluca still hold the record for Mexican soccer The Tigres legend has seven goals in finals to his name tied with Carlos Hermosillo and Humberto Suazo for 2nd-place Gignac's 33 postseason goals rank 3rd in Mexican soccer history just behind Cardozo's 43 and Borgetti's 41 the French striker has finished as the top scorer in a 'Liguilla' more times than anyone is the closest active player to Gignac's 33 goals 'Bomboro' Gignac has finished as the top scorer in three tournaments: Clausura 2016 No other player has won more goalscoring titles than the Frenchman since his arrival and only Mauro Boselli and Raúl Ruidíaz have been able to win more than one The Frenchman has only scored more goals against Pumas (17) León (13) and Chivas (13) during his nine-year stint with Tigres Gray Television announced that chief financial officer Jim Ryan plans to retire after 2025 and will be succeeded by Jeff Gignac Gignac is currently a managing director and head of media and telecom investment banking at Wells Fargo Securities Gignac will join Gray effective April 1 as executive VP working closely with Ryan and through the end of 2025 “Jim has made tremendous contributions to Gray Television during his 25-year tenure,” said Gray executive chairman and CEO Hilton Howell “He has helped guide the company through a period of tremendous growth and transformation that has made Gray the industry leader that we are today His steady leadership will be missed but will not be forgotten.” Ryan joined Gray as CFO in 1998 when Gray acquired Busse Broadcasting.  while acquiring scores of television stations through multiple transactions.  Ryan will remain with Gray as a senior adviser through his retirement to assist with a seamless transition of his duties.   The smarter way to stay on top of broadcasting and cable industry  “With Gray’s current focus on deleveraging and prudent balance-sheet management Jeff is the perfect candidate to lead our finance functions for the next chapter of our corporate history.” Jon LafayetteSocial Links NavigationJon has been business editor of Broadcasting+Cable since 2010 He focuses on revenue-generating activities as well as executive intrigue and merger and acquisition activity if a dollar sign can make its way into the article Jon is hiding in plain sight in the suburbs of Chicago Jean-Michel Aulas, the Lyon president, calls him an exotique, which is not meant as a compliment: OL’s main man has not quite accepted Didier Deschamps’s choice to take André-Pierre Gignac to the Euros instead of youngsters like his own Nabil Fekir and Alexandre Lacazette. He could have found himself a luxury apartment in Milan; instead he headed for Monterrey a city so dangerous that US defence personnel are forbidden to travel to it by car Close to a year later Gignac can cock a snook at all those who said Mexico would be a burial ground as far as his career was concerned Of course he knew what he was doing: he could speak Spanish fluently; he had studied the Mexican championship and found out that it had nothing to envy Ligue 1 in terms of technical level and competitivity He could have earned more if he had responded to the call of a top Saudi club the chance to discover a country that fascinated him Deschamps has not always been a fan either. Leaked phone conversations of the France manager with his agent Jean-Pierre Bernès recently made the front page of L’Équipe, quite understandably, since DD referred to Gignac as a boulet, a cannonball – someone, or something, you have to drag behind you. A dead weight. Read more“Give me anybody instead of Gignac,” Deschamps pleaded on the phone unaware police officers were taping every word of his chat It can only be better.” But that was a while ago “There is no animosity between us,” Gignac told France Football a few weeks ago “Apart from 10 minutes of tension in a dressing room [at Marseille] who is totally independent when it comes to making choices He showed it when he asked me back into the French national team.” Gignac had not scored for the national team since 2009 Never mind: when France lined up on 6 September 2013 in a World Cup qualifier against Georgia he had been brought back into the fold Gignac has always been different and here is the proof: he does not have a tattoo of which he is so proud – and please say Gitan or “Roma” – have made him a flagbearer for a community which had produced a number of greats of European football (Andrea Pirlo to name but three) but never a France international You can bet none of France’s 23 can match his passion for the blue jersey not that he is the kind to bellow it to please a public for whom the finals represent a chance to fall in love with their national team all over again And no one will strike the ball harder than Gignac France has a genuine tiger back in the ranks Philippe Auclair writes for France Football Follow him on Twitter here. Dimitri Payet’s accuracy and power from free-kicks could be a decisive factor for France Photograph: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty ImagesDimitri Payet A late call-up in place of the injured Raphaël Varane criticised Didier Deschamps for previous advice that he should join Sevilla instead of Lyon in order to have a better chance of returning to the France squad after a meeting with Deschamps to clear the air “The goal for me was to return to the French team The career choices were [made] in order to be able to return to the French team,” he said “I found myself in front of the manager .. but that doesn’t mean I have the right to make mistakes It’s fair to say that not much was known about N’Golo Kanté until he arrived at Leicester last August Even the club’s coaches weren’t sure who the tiny baby-faced figure was on his first day at the club’s Belvoir training ground While Kanté was waiting to be picked up after finishing his introductory session a concerned member of staff is said to have asked him if he was waiting for his mum and dad to arrive there can be no such confusion; the 25-year-old of Malian heritage is now rated the best signing of last summer and has earned the nickname “The Rash” from his midfield partner Danny Drinkwater Kanté did not have a car when he first moved to England but has since bought a sensible Mini Hatch to help him get around town Ed Aarons writes for The Guardian Follow him on Twitter here. Click here for a tactical analysis of France. Andre-Pierre Gignac ended his goal drought for Tigres on Saturday. EPA/Miguel SierraWhen France international Andre-Pierre Gignac was in a scoring rut for Tigres and had gone 862 minutes without finding the back of the net Gignac visited hypnotist John Milton ahead of Tigres' crucial Liga MX quarterfinal second leg against Pumas on Saturday, and whatever he did seemed to work. The French striker netted his first goal since Sept. 18 and went on to complete the night with a hat-trick in his team's 5-0 win He even celebrated one of the goals by "falling asleep" in the hypnotist's style "What John Milton does is not magic, they aren't powers," the hypnotist in an interview with ESPN's Raza Deportiva an alternative treatment to traditional clinical therapy." Milton couldn't expand on the specific work he did with the 30-year-old France striker but he said the results were there on the pitch for everyone to see "Through hypnotherapy you carry out a mental treatment trying to access conflicting thoughts," Milton said "With a professional level goal scorer of the stature [of Gignac] we forget that he is also a human being who has certain conflicts that don't allow him to give his best you focus and mentalize to perform as you should." The former Marseille player gave Milton the shirt he wore in the win over Pumas as a show of thanks and attended the hypnotist's show on Sunday in Monterrey "The Gentleman of Hypnosis" Milton also seems to have been in contact with other Tigres players, such as Mexico winger Javier Aquino. Tigres play Leon on Wednesday in the first leg of the Apertura semifinal. it’s no secret that Stoke City have made it clear they want to aggressively pursue the Frenchman this Summer and pry him away from Mexican club Tigres Since leaving Marseille Andre-Pierre Gignac has rejuvenated his career in Mexico scoring 9 goals in Clausura 16′ and netted 23 total in more than 30 matches with the club This would be a win-win opportunity for The Potters and Gignac his time in Mexico has been fruitful and given a different fan base a chance to watch a European player who has played in some of Europe’s most prestigious stadiums against high-profile teams you have to be naive to think Gignac was going to stay in Mexico long-term Peter Crouch is a name that seems like a viable option but then he disappears in the most crucial moments Take this chart of Crouch’s attempts on goal against Liverpool over the weekend The other factor is that in the EPL you need hard-nosed goal scoring machines who will seek out any gap or opportunity Stoke’s attack looks to lack fluidity and are not getting the type of offense that Gignac could offer as he has done for Tigres Gignac would love nothing more than to return to Europe although he still has two years left on his contract going back to European football is too good to pass up despite the money and successes he’s currently having Gignac is a dynamic attacker who has an ability to be physical when he needs to be to create for himself and for others Take a look at this image for his final match with Marseille last Spring His ability to continuously think forward and bring a fluid motion to their attack gave them a chance to win Related Story: Stoke City shows interest in Gignac Gignac would likely relish an opportunity to showcase himself in the EPL a chance to grow his brand and his ability as now he’s 30-years-old and doesn’t have many years left Stoke City could definitely take advantage of that at least for the short-term should they be able to afford it financially Gignac holds a $20 million release clause in his contract © 2025 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Minute Media or its affiliates and related brands All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER ","https://fansided.com/",{"alt":"6y","src":"6z","url":"70"},{"type":"6x","value":"71"},"link","Minute Media","https://www.minutemedia.com/",{"text":"74","url":"75"},{"type":"73","value":"76"},"All Rights Reserved Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Minute Media or its affiliates and related brands Related Story: Stoke City shows interest in Gignac A celebration of life was held Tuesday for former Cochise County Supervisor Judy Gignac who passed away December 14 at the age of 84 Gignac was a Supervisor from 1977 to 1988 and the first woman to be elected on the board "In the beginning of her career here in Cochise County it was a world of men and men only," said Gignac's daughter Beth Hooper "And she had to work her way through that … So helping women and assisting them make their dreams their goals come true and have their voices heard became very important to her.” Former Congressman Ron Barber said Tuesday he first met Gignac in 2006 and called her "a true force of nature." Barber said when he was considering running for Congress after Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords resigned to focus on her recovery from the shooting at a Tucson Safeway on January 8 he said Gignac became a close advisor along the journey of running for public office encouraged is probably a mild word — she pushed me into running for office in a special election to fill her seat," said Barber "I'd never imagine running for anything .. One of my first calls as I was considering the race was to Judy and I knew I could count on her for candid advice and guidance." District 2 Cochise County Supervisor Ann English served on the board with Gignac for four years in the mid 1980s “Her community could always count on her," English said everyone knows that she was a Republican at the time and I was a Democrat look for ways to compromise and just keep the county moving forward." Sierra Vista Mayor Pro Carolyn Umphrey said Gignac was the first contributor to her campaign when she first ran for City Council in 2018 "We would normally meet at her house," said Umphrey who was re-elected for a second term in the 2022 General Election and was appointed as Mayor Pro Tem last year there were these little nuggets of wisdom that would slip into her stories." Gignac was appointed to the Arizona Board of Regents for an 8-year term and served until 2002 Umphrey talked about how a phrase had been created to describe Gignac and her strict attention to detail "They made up a word just for her," Umphrey said "They would say 'you've been Gignac-ed' because she was so thorough in reading every packet .. words like "trailblazer," "inspirational," "stellar," "non-judgemental" and "loving" are used by colleagues and her surviving family Outside of education and politics, Gignac's son Chris Gignac said she was the general manager of Bella Vista Water and Bella Vista Ranches. The University of Arizona's Commission on the Status of Women awarded Gignac with an honorary Vision Award in 2002, according to a press release. Heber, whose first leg hat trick helped power New York City FC past AD San Carlos into the Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals is familiar – and impressed – with Tigres UANL forward Andre-Pierre Gignac.  [so] we need to take care of him because he's dangerous If you give a chance to him for sure he will score So we need to be careful and take care because he really is a No Ronny Deila is only a few months into his job as NYCFC head coach but he too was already well aware of the powerful French striker for his scoring prowess at Marseille Deila said the key to slowing down Gignac is to suffocate the 34-year-old’s service.  so we can cause them problems,” Deila said to get them to run after us instead of us running after them all the time.’ Goalkeeper Sean Johnson realizes Tigres is a perennial powerhouse in Liga MX a club that reached the CCL final a year ago arguably one of the best at his craft in the region.  “It’s important that we don’t give them too much respect,” Johnson said but we have to really buy into ourselves and our success as a club and what we've brought to the table over the past year that got us to this point in Champions League And I think that confidence and belief within our group will get us where we need to be and Tigres is that opponent that we’ll have to beat to do that.” They’re 12th in the Liga MX table and needed a remarkable stoppage-time goal from goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman in the second leg to stave off Alianza from El Salvador.  I know the players believe in that as well.” Not everyone is as well informed, though. At the club’s media day last week, NYCFC center back Alex Callens said he was unaware who Gignac was.  “It's the first time I've heard about him,” he said through a translator the Peruvian international should be keenly aware The French international is just the third player in Liga MX history to score 200 goals with one club With 13 minutes plus stoppage time left in León last night and with a 1-1 bind Guido Pizarro rose to head a corner kick cross into the six-yard box where a streaking André-Pierre Gignac slid to beat the defender to the ball and push it into the net to give Tigres the definitive 2-1 victory on the road to open up their Clausura 2024 he scored his 200th goal with the San Nicolás club Gol histórico.Así fue el gol 200 de André Pierre Gignac y a su vez darle la vuelta al marcador por 2-1. pic.twitter.com/DC9FrbZ7x2 The Frenchman’s historic night has now placed him in unique company with only 2 other Liga MX players ever reaching said milestone with a single club; José Saturnino Cardozo and Jared Borgetti Cardozo scored a total of 257 goals with Toluca throughout his 10-year career 249 of them coming in Liga MX matches (regular season and liguilla) Borgetti scored a total of 252 goals in Liga MX of which 205 came with the Santos Laguna jersey Gignac just joined these two legends last night with his clutch score Borgetti (252) and Cardozo (249) sit in 3rd and 4th Up next on the list for the Tigres striker is León great Adalberto López with 201 followed by Luis Roberto Alves ‘Zague’ with 209 Those two could easily be eclipsed by the Frenchman come season end Yet another accomplishment for the Tigres legend who continues to prove why at the young age of 38 he continues to be essential in Siboldi’s system and for this club’s overall mystique Tigres now gear up to host Chivas on Sunday night in their home opener Tigres star Andre-Pierre Gignac was left out of the Liga MX team facing MLS in the All-Star Game. Alfredo Lopez/Jam Media/Getty ImagesTigres striker and 2022 Clausura leading scorer Andre-Pierre Gignac was left out of Liga MX's 26-man roster for the MLS All-Star Game at Allianz Field on Aug Sources told ESPN Mexico on Wednesday that Gignac opted out of the exhibition in order to avoid possible regulatory problems due to being unvaccinated for COVID-19 Gignac was also unavailable for a Tigres friendly in San Antonio and Liga MX's Balon de Oro awards in Los Angeles - Watch MLS All-Star Game vs. Liga MX at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN Another report from Milenio cited a source at Tigres that said: "Andre is not the only player in Liga MX who is not vaccinated" and that the move was a "personal decision" from the player The 36-year-old France striker took to Instagram and posted a story that read: "Good morning I want to clarify that I spoke with the [Tigres] board and asked them to respect this matter from personal development and something that comes from my childhood and my origin I appreciate the support and respect for my decision on this issue Liga MX responded later on Wednesday with a statement that said it "respects the reasons why Andre-Pierre Gignac MLS named its 26-man roster for the upcoming All-Star Game In last year's first meeting between the two leagues in the exhibition match MLS defeated Liga MX 3-2 on penalties after the game finished 1-1 in regulation time at LAFC's Banc of California Stadium The first 14 players from Liga MX's roster were selected through the 2021-22 Balon de Oro awards with the rest chosen by Liga MX All-Star head coach Diego Cocca from Atlas Santos Laguna goalkeeper Carlos Acevedo was added as the roster's 26th player by league president Mikel Arriola on Friday 2018“YOU CAN’T DO THIS!” Arrested for impersonating a diplomat Gignac continued to run his cons from prison.Illustration by R Kikuo Johnson.Save this storySaveSave this storySavePrince Khalid bin al-Saud was having a thunderous meltdown in the lobby of the St ranting and raving about a crime being committed against him: disrespect “You have insulted my honor!” the prince shrieked This is not how you do business with royalty!” The prince was used to being treated with the deference befitting a son of the Saudi king He had flown into Aspen a few days before on the private jet of billionaire Jeffrey Soffer who hoped to sell him 30 percent of the famed Fontainebleau hotel in Miami Beach for $440 million accompanied by his diamond-bedecked Chihuahua the prince was screaming at Soffer’s representatives threatening to sue them for their insolence Gignac must have known he was in trouble. “He realizes at this point that they are onto him,” the source says. “If somebody is checking and finds out he’s only renting a single condo, and doesn’t own the whole building, then he’s been lying to them.” So, as he had done repeatedly over three decades of increasingly audacious cons, Gignac slipped even deeper into character. “He’s in the lobby screaming,” says the source. The tirade was so violent that Gignac’s own business manager, Carl Marden Williamson, came running to calm him. Another member of Gignac’s entourage, a female British investment banker who had connected him to the Soffers, was reduced to tears. Then Gignac upped the con to an even higher level. After his meltdown, the investment banker approached one of Soffer’s associates in the lobby. “This deal is going to fall through,” she warned him. “You have insulted the prince’s honor. Here is how you need to get back in business with him: he is requesting a gift.” “What do you mean, a gift?” Soffer’s associate asked. Extravagant gifts, the prince often explained, were part of the negotiation process in the Middle East—a sign of respect. Soffer had already given him expensive artwork, along with a $5,000 diamond-encrusted dog collar and other trinkets for Foxy. Now, His Highness wanted something pricier. “It has to be at least $50,000,” the banker said. Gignac made another fatal misstep after he returned from Aspen aboard Soffer’s jet. When the plane landed in Miami, according to the criminal complaint, he offered to drive one of Soffer’s executives home, insisting that he could speed without the threat of a ticket due to his diplomatic status. Impersonating a diplomat is a felony, which would ultimately wind up unleashing a unique set of bloodhounds. The Soffer team contacted D.C. Page, a former federal agent who runs V2 Global, a Miami-based firm that specializes in providing business intelligence. “They asked me to do two things,” Page recalls. “First, find out his true identity. And second, what is the scam?” Page and his team of researchers concluded that Gignac “really believed he was this persona that he made up. The first part of the scam was to get close to important people. And that facilitated the second part of the fraud: to bilk money out of investors. He wanted to get close to the Soffer family so he could say he was close to the Soffer family. It gives him credibility when he sits down with potential investors.” V2 put all its findings together for Soffer. “They wrote up a giant report,” says Trinity Jordan, the former assistant U.S. attorney who indicted Gignac for fraud in the case. “Soffer’s lawyers turned it over to the F.B.I. and the State Department, and the Diplomatic Security Service took over from there.” The Diplomatic Security Service may sound genteel, but in reality, it’s an elite team of highly trained agents, responsible for protecting the secretary of state and U.S. diplomats around the world. “They are trained just like F.B.I. agents, with paramilitary training on top,” says Jordan. “They are the best of the best.” The case of the counterfeit Saudi prince was assigned to two of the D.S.S.’s best agents: one a Pakistani law-school graduate with extensive training around the world, the other an agent who had worked for years in the Middle East. They knew the snaggle-toothed prince with a bowl haircut was a fake the moment they saw his picture. “His teeth are what gave him away, big time,” says the source. “Because Middle Eastern royals, especially Saudis, take care of their teeth.” “The sad thing is he’s not only fooling really savvy businessmen, multi-millionaires, people that are used to doing these big, huge deals,” says the source. “He’s also fooling the average everyday person who just happened to come into a little bit of money here or there and believed he was the prince. One individual who had collected on a life insurance policy turned over all of her money to Gignac with the promise of him taking care of her kids.” Gignac with Herbert Spiegel, then general manager Cheeca Lodge, which the prince was trying to buy for $200 million. Gignac, from the cell at the Federal Detention Center in Miami where he is awaiting trial, denies almost everything about the incidents that led to his undoing. He says he didn’t have a meltdown at the hotel, and never claimed there was a computer chip in his neck (“LOL NO”). He insists he has never eaten pork (“Those were lies”), and claims that Soffer—whom he calls “Jeff”—gave him the $50,000 bracelet as a gift, completely unprompted (“I never asked him for it and never wanted it”). Those who investigated and prosecuted Gignac were struck by how thoroughly he was able to inhabit his role as the prince. “The guy is a master with people,” says Jordan. “He plays the part, whatever the part is at that moment. When he talked to us, he played the right cards. He said, ‘I’m charming, but I’m really not that smart. I really don’t know what I’m doing.’ But that is not what the evidence showed. Somehow he knows what to say at whatever given moment to get what he wants.” Visser says that Gignac, while “mild-mannered” in speech, was audacious in action. “I’m a trained observer, a writer my whole life, and my husband was with the C.I.A. for 10 years,” she says. “So we’re pretty aware of people. We were totally fooled. My husband once saw him write a note in Arabic and thought it looked authentic. That’s how clever this guy was.” Even agents with the Diplomatic Security Service were impressed by one aspect of Gignac’s ruse. While they were executing the search warrant on his condo on Fisher Island, a boy who looked like he was 9 or 10 years old approached one of them. “Are you a D.S.S. agent?” he asked. The agent was startled; most people have never heard of the D.S.S. “How did you know that?” he demanded. “Oh,” the boy said. “The prince that lives up there, he has D.S.S. agents.” The prince, it turned out, had supplied his personal bodyguards with bogus Diplomatic Security Service badges that they pinned on their lapels. “We looked at Gignac’s counterfeit badges,” says the source, “and they looked better than the real thing.” The call up means the return of international activity for France for Gignac since the Euro 2016 and for Thauvin since the 2018 World Cup France has named both of Tigres’ French players in their squad for the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo as two of their three allotted overage players Andre-Pierre Gignac and Florian Thauvin will be playing on the French team that is set to open their participation in the Olympic tournament against Mexico on July 22nd France has a very competitive team and is one of the candidates to win the gold medal including being big favorites for their match against Mexico Andre-Pierre Gignac and Florian Thauvin both have had careers with the French National Team prior to their time in Tigres Thavin is the recent acquisition with Tigres and was part of the 2015 U20 World Cup winning team and more importantly part of the 2018 World Cup team Gignac meanwhile played in the 2010 World Cup his impressive level caused him to be part of the 2016 UEFA Euro team and Gignac even played in the final where a shot of his hit the post in what would have been the game-winning goal before they lost the final against Portugal This call up means a return to the French National Team in what will probably be the last tournament for Gignac at 35 Gignac and Thauvin are set to be the only Tigres players to be in the competition as no players from Tigres are part of the U24 Mexican National Team something that might reveal a lot about the lack of opportunities for young players in the team Their city rivals Monterrey are set to have two players in Carlos Rodriguez and Cesar Montes Mexico match might be another game in their perpetual rivalry between both teams