Although he was unable to score in France's route to glory at the 2018 World Cup, the Arsenal star insists he still offered a lot to the team
Olivier Giroud has defended his failure to score at the World Cup, claiming he contributed to France's triumph at Russia 2018 in other ways.
Fellow forwards Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappe scored four times apiece as Didier Deschamps' men won the World Cup in July.
Les Bleus' success echoed their last triumph in the tournament 20 years ago, when their man striker Stephane Guivarc'h did not score.
But Giroud says lifting the trophy more than made up for his inability to find the net at the World Cup.
"It necessarily results in a little frustration," Giroud told Le Parisien. "But it has largely been filled by the title. The collective takes precedence over individuals.
"I often had to do a little bit of different work, make sacrifices to help the team hold the lead. In fact, you have less energy to be decisive in the last third.
"Except against Belgium in the second half, I do not have the memory of having missed many opportunities. I even produced two assists.
"My zero goals does not stop me from sleeping. In the street people tell me: even if you have not scored, you have been important.
"We might not have been world champions if I scored. Statistics can be used for anything and everything. I was decisive in another way."
Giroud turns 32 later this month but the striker insists that international retirement has not yet crossed his mind.
Reaching further landmarks are still well within Giroud's sights, with his 81 caps and 31 goals already having earned him a place among France's elite.
"A team-mate at Chelsea already asked me this question," Giroud said of quitting France duty. "As long as I feel good, can bring something to the team and the coach calls me, I am available.
"I am aware of being closer to the end than the beginning. So I enjoy every moment. I do not put myself any barrier, I do not set any limit.
"It would be a nice figure [100 caps], but before, I would like to rise to among the top three scorers in the history of Les Bleus. For now, I share fourth place with Zizou [Zinedine Zidane] three only behind [David] Trezeguet.
"This podium, it would also be a way to mark the story, even if boys like Antoine and Kylian will exceed me."
Tijan_milla
23
Goalless or not..your name has been written in the history books as one of the players who won the 2018 World Cup! More success to you Olivier Giroud!🙏
abhijith7
21
I dont think it should come to a phase where a player has to show that he did it perfectly. It was easy to see how effective Giroud was for france. He was the link-up man. Just like how Benzema sacrificed himself for ronaldo and co. giroud did the same for griezmann and mbappe. He has a brilliant dirst touch and anyone with the right footballing mind can see that he was(with kante and pogba) a crucial part of French lineup. He has a great positioning and passing flair that only players lioe Benzema or lukaku possess
sogani
17
As someone who was casually rooting for France on its first kickoff matches it bothered me he constantly missed some chances to finish. France could have easily scored 5 goals against Argentina if he were better at it. But I never considered what you're saying so I'll be watching him more closely tomorrow
Keviis
15
I was going to say the same, he's worked even if he's not scored or had a shot on target, they are still in the world cup final and he's played a lot of minutes, this reminds me of the whole Benzema thing that gets dolled around a lot, he might not score lots, much like Benzema but he does a job for the team which everyone, especially the manager, appreciates. Similarities with Firmino last season too. He helps make space for Mbappe and Griezmann. When he's not there our attack seems lost and they all end up drifting towards the center and getting in each other's way. He also puts in a ton of defensive work too with the NT. It's a shame his finishing has been poor though, against Belgium alone. He could have scored 3 with better finishing. It's also funny when it's Benzema fans pushing these kind of stats because this season at RM he's had the same role. Barely any goals scored but still a great partner for Ronaldo and he really makes their attack whole.