Olivier Giroud (37) will retire from international duty after the Euros. The competition in Germany next month will be the forward’s last competition representing France in a career that has seen him win the 2018 World Cup and reach the final in 2022.
Speaking to L’Équipe, Giroud stated “Obviously I’m going to miss it a lot, but I think my time with the French team will be over after the Euros. I need to cede my place for the young players.” A recognition that it’s time for a new generation to come forward and lead the national side, with players like Marcus Thuram (26) looking ready to take the mantle.
Despite this, Giroud’s retirement will represent a significant loss for the team. His 57 goals in a Les Bleus shirt remain an all-time record, but as the 2018 campaign showed, sometimes his presence in the team was not simply about finishing chances but what he provided for the players around him.
It was a glowing endorsement of his abilities that Kylian Mbappé (25) begged Paris Saint-Germain to buy a striker in the mould of Giroud. Someone he could play off like and someone who could provide him the space with which he could create.
Giroud admitted that it would be a different tournament for him now that he knows it will be his last. “There is a bit of nostalgia for all those years gone by. Obviously, there will be a lot of emotions, a lot of details, and memories that will resurface, but we have to put that aside and enjoy every moment once again […] emotion must not take over. There is still a competition to win, even if it will be special for me.”
Kedanruz
370
u will never see cr7 do that coz he's too damn selfish. they'll have to drop him from the team and the coach is afraid to do that
Littleemperor
227
We will always remember you
Harshit1
189
And then There is a certain someone who Can't perform yet can't cede his place for younger ones.
haoadlptuy
147
Ronaldo should retire after This Euro
linbkmrtyz
8
Don’t ever disrespect the goat ever again or ill pull up to your house
lol bro how has he disrespected the GOAT? he didn't disrespect the GOAT, he disrespected C.Ronaldo. he wouldn't dare disrespect the GOAT cause even at 36 he still better than 97% of the young players now, and on pa with the very best among the 3%... his name is Messi just so you don't mix it up .