Giroud to retire internationally, L'Equipe stated

Baghdad-INA

France's all-time leading scorer, Olivier Giroud, announced on Friday his international retirement after the European Cup (Euro 2024) in Germany this summer.

Giroud (37 years old), who played 131 international matches and scored 57 goals, said in an interview with the sports newspaper "L'Equipe" that the European Cup finals will be his last tournament.

He added: "Honestly, I must say that this will be my last tournament with the French national team. Of course, I will miss it very much. But I think that after the European Cup, it will be time to stop with the national team and leave room for the youth."

The Italian Milan striker, who will join Los Angeles FC after his contract with his current club expires next June 30, considered that he is able to continue his football career for two years and continued: “But for the French national team, in my opinion, the matter will be over.”

 The former Arsenal, Chelsea and Montpellier striker expressed his reasons for retiring: “I began to feel the weight of the years, and I thought carefully about it. Playing every three days has become more complicated, especially at this level. I will not go there to Los Angeles to be a tourist, but I think this is the right time for me.”.

Giroud played his first international match in November 2011 during a friendly match with the United States that ended with the “Roosters” team winning 1-0, a few months before he won the French League title with Montpellier, his first major title.