Olivier Giroud is closing a chapter of his career. He is retiring from France’s national team as the top scorer and the second player with the most matches played with Les Bleus.
Olivier Giroud will retire as the top scorer in the history of the French national team. The striker has scored 57 goals in 131 matches, a number that could increase in Euro 2024.
“I think things will end with the ‘Bleus’ after the European Championship. It’s time to make way for the young people,” said the current Milan player in an interview published by L’Équipe this Friday.
Next Club: Los Angeles FC
The striker, who will play for Los Angeles FC in the United States next season, admitted that he finds it increasingly difficult to play consecutive matches, although he believes he still has “a few good years” at his future club.
“The weight of the years is beginning to show, and I’ve thought about it. Playing every three days is becoming more and more complex, especially at a high level. But I’m not going to Los Angeles for tourism. I think the time is right,” said Giroud.
The celebrated French striker is set to join the ranks of South American football legends Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in the United States MLS. This will also reunite Giroud with his former France teammate, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Giroud is to sign up for the Los Angeles Football Club MLS side after the conclusion of the Euro Cup.
Managed by Steve Cherundolo, the Los Angeles Football Club has been performing well in the current season, holding fifth place in the Western Conference. The team’s offensive performance should be highlighted, with 22 goals in the league, a record surpassed only by Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and their cross-town rivals, LA Galaxy.
His Track Record
Giroud is also the second player with the most matches played with Les Bleus, behind Lilian Thuram, who has 142 matches played. The French striker will hold the top scorer title until Kylian Mbappé surpasses him. Mbappé has scored 46 goals in 77 matches, which could increase in the tournament and in upcoming tournaments.
It was precisely in Qatar that Giroud surpassed Thierry Henry as the top scorer in the national team’s history, which the former Arsenal and Barcelona player had left at 51 goals.
Giroud’s Words
Giroud, world champion with France in 2018 and runner-up in Qatar 2022 believes the time is right: “I always said that I was going to stop when my body asked me to. I think I have two more good years of football left, but I will be finished with the national team.”
“If I win, apart from the Premier League, which is very difficult to win, I could say I’ve won everything… After that, I’ve heard a lot about the 60-goal mark for the national team. We’re watching, but it’s not an obsession”, he said to ESPN.
However, he admits that he faces the Euro differently: “I feel a bit nostalgic. It will be very exciting. Many memories come to my mind… but all of that must be left aside, and enjoy every moment, as I do in Milan. Emotion cannot dominate you. We have a competition to win”.
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