At 37 years old, Olivier Giroud, France’s greatest striker in history, has announced the timing to retire from international competition.
In an interview with L’Equipe, Olivier Giroud revealed his decision to retire from international competition, meaning he will not play for the French national team after the conclusion of Euro 2024. Giroud also plans to move to the United States to play for Los Angeles FC starting next season, bidding farewell to AC Milan at the end of this current season.
Turning 37, Giroud’s decision to head to the US doesn’t come as a surprise. He stated, “When you make such a choice (signing a contract in the US), it means you can enjoy your family a little more. We’re living at 200 miles per hour, we don’t have much time for family. There are 5 meetings in a season and it seems complicated to me.”
Regarding the French national team, he shared, “Honestly, Euro 2024 will be my last tournament with Les Bleus. It’s clear that I will remember a lot. But I think my time with the French team will end after the Euros. We have to make way for the young generation that is developing.” The greatest striker in the French national team further added, “There’s a bit of nostalgia for the years gone by. Obviously, there will be a lot of emotions, a lot of memories and recollections, but we have to put that aside and enjoy each moment again. Emotions should not override reason. There’s still one more tournament (Euro) to win a title, because it will be very special for me.”
Giroud has set a record of scoring 57 goals in 131 appearances for the French national team and won the 2018 World Cup. He was also a member of the team that finished as runners-up at Euro 2016 and won the Nations League 2020-21. He made his international debut when he replaced Kevin Gameiro in a friendly against the United States in 2011. Giroud’s debut match coincided with the season he unexpectedly won the Ligue 1 title with Montpellier. France will begin their Euro 2024 campaign against Austria in Dusseldorf before facing the Netherlands and Poland. With friendly matches before the tournament, Giroud could end his career with the French national team having made 140 appearances. Throughout his career, Giroud has won the 2018 World Cup, reached the Euro 2016 final, and the 2022 World Cup.
