Once Euro 2024 concludes, legendary French striker Olivier Giroud will no longer play for France on the international stage. An era will come to a close for Didier Deschamps’ side.
While playing for France, Giroud scored 57 goals in 131 games, cementing his place in soccer lore. This decision comes after a legendary career. In 2018, he achieved his greatest success by playing an essential part in their victorious World Cup campaign in Russia.
Giroud seems both nostalgic and eager to hand the team’s leadership role to the next generation in an interview with L’Equipe. But he did concede that the French national squad may need some new blood at the helm.
Even if they made it to the World Cup final in 2022 again, he thinks the team needs to create space for new talent. The 37-year-old striker said that he decided to retire internationally due to emotional and physical exhaustion.
“To be honest, this will be my last competition with Les Bleus. Obviously, I’m going to miss it a lot. But I think the French team will be over after the Euros. We need to make way for the youngsters.
“You also have to be careful not to have one season too many. You have to find the right balance. I’ve always said that I was going to stop when my body asked me to. I think I’ve got two good years left. But as far as the French team is concerned, I think that’ll be the end of it”, he added.
Looking to end international career on a high note
Looking back on a career spanning more than a decade, Giroud feels a mix of emotions as he gets ready for his last performance on a global platform. Still, he is dead set on achieving his goal of winning the European Championship, no matter how emotional the situation becomes.
“It’s really the desire to go as far as possible in the competition with this generation that drives me. If I win, apart from the Premier League, which is very difficult to win, I could say I’ve won everything… I’m also hearing a…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/uefa-euro/big-blow-for-france-2024-euro-to-be-girouds-last-for-les-blues/
Author : Martina Alcheva
Publish date : 2024-05-24 20:29:54
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