Giroud plays volleyball and soaks up the sun as he enjoys holiday with his wife

Olivier Giroud is enjoying some much needed downtime after his efforts in Russia helped France lift the World Cup for the second time in their history this summer.

The Chelsea striker was pictured playing volleyball on the beach in Formentera and taking a dip in the sea with his wife Jennifer.

The couple, who have been married since 2011, were pictured having a few intimate moments as they embraced each other in the sea.

Giroud also showed off his new shaved look as he soaked up the sun on a beach in Formentera on Friday afternoon.

The Frenchman got rid of all of his hair last week and became the second member of Didier Deschamps' squad to honour a quirky pre-World Cup pledge.

He is not due to return to Chelsea until next month, having been granted permission by the club to have an extended break after featuring in all seven of France's World Cup-winning campaign.

Chelsea have set off for Nice ahead of their clash with Inter Milan as Maurizio Sarri's men continue their pre-season preparations without Giroud.

Sarri is also missing several other key players due to their World Cup involvement, including Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois, and N'Golo Kante.

But the Italian will be boosted by the return of Victor Moses and Cesar Azpilicueta, who both travelled with the team on Friday and are expected to play some part against Inter this weekend.