France striker Olivier Giroud has announced his intention to retire from international football after next month’s European Championship. The 37-year-old forward, who recently joined Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC from AC Milan, revealed his decision in an interview with French sports daily L’Equipe, emphasizing his desire not to play “one season too many.”
Giroud has had a stellar international career, making 131 appearances for France and becoming the men’s national team’s all-time leading goalscorer with 57 goals, surpassing Thierry Henry during the 2022 World Cup. He was a key figure in France’s 2018 World Cup-winning squad, contributing significantly to their success.
“To be honest, this will be my last competition with Les Bleus. Obviously, I’m going to miss it a lot,” Giroud told L’Equipe. “But I think the French team will be over after the Euro. We need to make way for the youngsters. You also have to be careful not to have one season too many. You have to find the right balance.”
Giroud acknowledged that while he believes he has “two good years left” in his professional career, his time with the French national team will conclude after the European Championship. This decision aligns with his philosophy of stopping when his body signals it’s time, aiming to leave on a high note rather than overstaying his prime.
France will open their Euros group stage campaign against Austria on June 17, followed by matches against the Netherlands and Poland. The French team, which was unexpectedly knocked out by Switzerland in the last 16 of Euro 2020, last won the European Championship in 2000.
Giroud, reflecting on his objectives for the upcoming tournament, expressed his motivation to help his team achieve as much as possible rather than focusing on personal milestones. “It’s really the desire to go as far as possible in the competition with this generation that drives me,” he said.
“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.”
Giroud’s career has been marked by remarkable achievements. Despite often being underappreciated early in his career, he has proven his worth time and again, earning his place among the greats of French football. His move to Los Angeles FC marks a new chapter, providing him with a different kind of challenge while allowing him to extend his playing career in a less demanding environment compared to Europe’s top leagues.
The upcoming European Championship will be a significant moment for Giroud and France, as they aim to reclaim the title and further solidify their status as one of the world’s top footballing nations. For Giroud, it represents a final opportunity to add another prestigious title to his illustrious international career.
As France prepares for the tournament, the team and fans alike will undoubtedly celebrate Giroud’s contributions and his decision to pass the torch to the next generation of French talent. His leadership and experience will be crucial as Les Bleus strive for glory, and Giroud will be looking to make his final appearance on the international stage a memorable one.
