Florian Thauvin and more: who are the world champions who played at Tigres UANL?

Tigres UANL have experienced rapid sporting growth in the last decade. Although the departure of Ricardo Ferretti at the end of the Guard1anes 2021 tournament implies the end of a cycle, the team managers bet on midfielder Florian Thauvin who, being world champion with France, will join the next cycle to continue with the good results. However, he is not the only World Cup winner to have worn the jersey.

Jonas Eduardo Américo, better known as Edú, was the first player who, after having achieved the highest achievement in the discipline with the Brazilian National Team, joined the Tigres UANL. At just 17 years old, he made his debut in the First Division of his country with the legendary Santos team.

His young age didn´t overshadow his remarkable talent with the ball, as he managed to be considered to participate in the World Cup in England in 1966. On that occasion, Verdeamarela was surpassed in points by Portugal and Hungary, combined that managed to qualify for the next round.

Despite the failure, the experience contributed to his maturity on the pitch. In fact, with his return, he became one of the undisputed pillars of the Sao Paulo team. With that record, he was able to repeat the call for the fair disputed in Mexico during the year 1970. There, although his interventions became of change, he conquered the glory along with Carlos Alberto, Gerson, Rivelino, Tostao and Pele.

The cycle with Santos ended when he turned 29 years old. With this, in 1978, those of San Nicolás de los Garza managed to integrate him into Mexican soccer. Although he could not obtain the championship, his football quality delighted his fans, coupled with the fact that he managed to play in the 1980 final against Cruz Azul, a match he lost 4-3.

An Argentine, the second world champion who played in Tigres UANL

The second personality who conquered the glory in the maximum soccer event and arrived at the UANL was Sergio Almirón. Emerged from the quarry of Newell's Old Boys, he debuted in 1978 and remained until 1986. In that year he was part of the squad that attended the World Cup in Mexico, where he dressed in glory alongside characters such as Jorge Valdano, Oscar Ruggeri, Jorge Burruchaga, Nery Pumpido and, of course, Diego Armando Maradona.

Although he was not part of the starting eleven and had sporadic participations throughout the tournament, the poster of belonging to the champion team led him to play in French soccer with Tours FC, for a season. In 1987 he returned to his first team, although two years later he reached the Tigers, where he stayed for a couple of seasons and could not celebrate any title. Finally, the Argentine returned to his native country with Estudiantes of La Plata. After joining three more teams, he retired in 1995.