Olivier Giroud, France‘s all-time top scorer, has announced his retirement from international football. The 37-year-old striker made his debut for the French national team in November 2011 and has since made 137 appearances, scoring 57 goals and providing 15 assists.
In a heartfelt statement posted on his social media accounts, Giroud reminisced about his time with the team and expressed his gratitude to the fans, teammates, and support staff for their support. He acknowledged that his career with the France team had not always been smooth, but he never stopped believing.
Career Highlights
Giroud’s international career includes winning the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and the UEFA Nations League in 2021. He was also part of the French squad for the recently concluded Euro 2024, where they were eliminated in the semi-finals by Spain.
The former Arsenal, Chelsea, and AC Milan striker thanked the France team for becoming a second family to him, with whom he shared joy, disappointment, victories, defeats, laughter, and tears. He will now become the number one supporter of Les Bleus, with his 13 years of service to the national team forever engraved in his heart.
Giroud’s club career has been equally impressive. He came through the academies of multiple French clubs, including Grenoble and Tours FC, before joining Montpellier in 2010, where he won the Ligue 1 title. He then moved to the Premier League with Arsenal in 2012, making 253 appearances and recording 105 goals and 37 assists.
After six years with the Gunners, Giroud joined Chelsea in 2018, where he made 119 appearances, registering 39 goals and 14 assists. He won one UEFA Champions League, one Europa League, and one FA Cup with the Blues before joining AC Milan in 2021. During his time with the Italian club, he scored 49 goals and provided 20 assists in 132 games, winning the Serie A.
New Chapter in MLS
Olivier Giroud left Milan as a free agent earlier this summer and is now set to move to the MLS to join LAFC, where he will be reunited with his former France captain Hugo Lloris. As he embarks on a new chapter in his career, Giroud’s legacy as a French football icon will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of players.
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