Angers SCO’s Jordan Lefort (32) has been called up by Artiz Lopez Garai, the Mauritania manager, for the upcoming friendly matches against Argentina and Palestine.

Born in Champigny-sur-Marne, in the Paris suburbs, the defender was given the opportunity to join the Mourabitounes through marriage. “My wife is Mauritanian, so my whole in-law family holds that nationality. We’d already sorted out passports for my children; they’ve been naturalised. And we went through the same process for me, which was successful,” the new international explained to Ligue 1+ on the sidelines of SCO’s 5-1 defeat away to RC Lens on Friday.  

With extensive experience in French football, Lefort has, however, never had the opportunity to represent any country at international level, either as a professional or at youth level. At the age of 32, this could be his first call-up, as he faces the Argentinians, the reigning world champions, at the legendary Bombonera in Buenos Aires.

Having come through the ranks at Amiens SC and played in the Swiss league, Lefort has now made 94 Ligue 1 appearances and over 130 in Ligue 2. A mainstay of Alexandre Dujueux’s side, he is currently on a run of 61 consecutive starts in the top flight of French football.