Tigres leaves number 10 shirt vacant after André-Pierre Gignac's departure

For the upcoming Apertura 2026 season, Tigres has made a symbolic decision: no player will wear the number 10 shirt. The jersey, which was synonymous with André-Pierre Gignac for over a decade, will remain vacant as a mark of respect for the French striker's profound impact on the institution.

Gignac, who joined the Mexican side in the summer of 2015, was not registered for the current tournament as he did not fit into the sporting plans for the Apertura 2026. His departure closes a chapter marked by goals, trophies, and moments that cemented him as one of the greatest figures in the club's history.

None of the five new signings for this campaign chose to take the iconic number. Instead, the reinforcements opted for different squad numbers: Emiliano Gómez took the 9, Guillermo 'Memote' Martínez chose 22, Alan Franco will wear 15, Mauro Lainez selected 19, and Ricardo Monreal took 21.

The decision by the club management serves a dual purpose: honoring a club legend and preventing new players from immediately facing the inevitable and difficult comparisons with the French forward. The legacy Gignac leaves behind—including 219 official goals and 12 titles, such as five Liga MX championships and a CONCACAF Champions League—is immense.

For now, the number 10 will remain untouched in the Apertura 2026 registration, keeping the identity of the squad intrinsically linked to Gignac's era.