Who is Angers' Mauritania international Jordan Lefort?
At 32 years old, Jordan Lefort made his debut for the Mauritania national team during a 2-1 defeat to Argentina. But who is the SCO Angers centre-back?
The reasons for his Mauritania call-up
It isn't exactly standard for a player to make their international debut at the age of 32, especially when it isn't their country of birth. Lefort is a stalwart in Ligue 1 McDonald's, however, you would have thought that his chances of playing any form of international football were over.
However, earlier this month, he appeared in the squad for the current international break, and speaking to Ligue 1 Plus, he revealed his eligibility to play for the Mauritania national team. "My wife is Mauritanian, so all of my stepfamily have this nationality," began the Angers defender. "We had already done the passports for our children, and they were naturalised. We did the same process for me, and that was completed. Once my passport was validated, I was available for selection, and the manager chose me."
Last-minute goal scorer for Mauritania against Argentina 🇲🇷
Jordan Lefort ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/oX18v34tx0— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) March 28, 2026
Lefort immediately justified that selection. Despite a 2-1 defeat against Lionel Messi's Argentina on Sunday night, Lefort netted a late consolation for the African nation. The defender was in the right place at the right time to slot home an effort on the half volley. "Massively proud and a moment that I will never forget," he wrote on social media post-match.
Lefort has been a key member of Angers' defence since joining on a free transfer back in 2023, following the expiry of his deal at Paris FC. His performances have been particularly impressive ever since Le Sco's promotion back to Ligue 1 McDonald's, hence the call-up to the international side. He is an ever-present and reliable figure, too, having played 29 games in all competitions this season and featuring in each of Angers' Ligue 1 McDonald's encounters.
Lefort a volunteer for charitable organisations
Bar a spell in Switzerland with Young Boys (2020-2022), he has spent his entire career in his native France. Many of his games came for Amiens SC, whom he joined as a teenager after a time in Strasbourg's academy. He played 102 games for the Ligue 2 BKT side, three fewer than he has played for Angers. Whilst he has become a fixture in France's top-flight (94 appearances, five assists), most of his appearances as a professional player have come in the second division (133 appearances, three goals, seven assists).
But beyond his impact on the pitch, Lefort also seeks to have a strong impact off of it. He is a sponsor for an animal protection body, the SPA, in France, and he has often worked very actively with the association. He is also involved in the fight against food waste, and he is also involved with an association called Students Without Hunger, in Amiens.
That is another charitable organisation that provides financial help to students. He, too, found himself in a precarious financial situation earlier in life. "My first contract only brought me €720 a month. Even with the CAF (social benefits), it was survival. Sometimes my mum helped me," he told L'Équipe back in 2022. Lefort continues to financially contribute to the organisation, ensuring that his impact is felt both on and off the pitch.
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