France’s all-time top scorer Olivier Giroud announced his retirement from international football on Monday, July 15. In a heartfelt statement, he reminisced about his time with the team and expressed his gratitude to the fans, teammates, and support staff for their support.
Giroud made his debut for the French national team in November 2011 in a friendly against the USA. He has since made 137 appearances, scoring 57 goals and providing 15 assists. The former Arsenal man is France’s all-time top scorer.
Giroud has also won the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and the UEFA Nations League in 2021 with Les Bleus. He was also part of their squad for the recently-concluded Euro 2024. He made four substitute appearances as France were eliminated in the semi-finals as they lost 2-1 against Spain.
On Monday, July 15, Olivier Giroud posted a statement on his social media accounts, which read:
“The dreaded moment has arrived: that of saying goodbye to the France team. What a pride to wear this blue jersey and to represent France. By joining this team, I found a second family with the players and the staff.
“We have always supported each other, we have experienced joy and disappointment, victories and defeats, laughter and tears but were always united and supportive.”
“My career with the France team has not always been a smooth ride. I doubted sometimes, I also suffered from criticism but deep down, I never stopped believing. From now on, I become the number one supporter of Les Bleus. This France team that I served for 13 years will remain forever engraved in my heart. It is my greatest pride and my most beautiful memory.”
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A look at Olivier Giroud’s club career and what next?
Olivier Giroud came through multiple French clubs’ academies, starting with Grenoble before moving to Tours FC in 2008. Two years later, he joined Montpellier, winning the Ligue 1, before moving to the Premier League with Arsenal in 2012.
He spent six years with the Gunners, making 253 appearances and recording 105 goals and 37 assists. He won three FA Cups and three Community Shields with them before joining London rivals Chelsea in 2018. He made 119 appearances for the Blues, registering 39 goals and 14 assists.
He won one UEFA Champions League, one Europa League, and one FA Cup with Chelsea before joining AC Milan in 2021. He scored 49 goals and provided 20 assists in 132 games for them, winning the Serie A.
Olivier Giroud left Milan as a free agent earlier this summer. He is now set to move to the MLS to join LAFC, where he will be reunited with his former France captain Hugo Lloris.
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