France’s Record Scorer Giroud to Retire from International Duty After Euro 2024
Forward Olivier Giroud, the all-time top scorer for the French national team, announced that he will end his international career at 37 after the next European Championship.
"I think things with 'les bleus' will come to an end after the Euros. It's time to make way for the young players," said the current Milan player in an interview published by L'Équipe this Friday.
The forward, who will play next season for Los Angeles FC in the United States, admitted that it's getting harder for him to play consecutive matches, though he believes he still has "a few good years" left at his future club.
"The years are starting to take their toll and I've thought about it. Playing every three days is getting more and more challenging, especially at a high level. But I'm not going to Los Angeles for a vacation; I think it's the right time," said the footballer.
Trained at Grenoble, Giroud has played for major clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Milan and has made a significant mark on the national team, where he won the 2018 World Cup, reached the final of the 2022 World Cup, and the final of Euro 2016.
It was in Qatar where the forward surpassed Thierry Henry as the top scorer in the national team's history, a record the former Arsenal and Barcelona player had set at 51 goals.
Giroud, who has played 131 matches for the national team, now has 57 goals with "les bleus."