Olivier Giroud confirms international retirement

France striker and Les Bleus‘ record goalscorer Olivier Giroud (37) has officially confirmed his international retirement on his X account. The 37-year-old was expected to hang up his France boots on the back of France’s exit at the semi-finals stage of the Euro 2024 and his impending transfer to MLS franchise LAFC. “The most dreaded moment has arrived: saying goodbye to the France’s national team.” As Olivier Giroud mentions, his international retirement is made official on July 15, six years after France’s triumph at the 2018 World Cup.

The former Arsenal and Chelsea centre-forward made his France debut on November 11, 2011. Almost thirteen years later, Olivier Giroud earned 137 international caps and logged an impressive record tally of 57 goals, surpassing Thierry Henry’s 51 goals with Les Bleus, winning football’s greatest prize in 2018 as well as the 2021 Nations League.

Olivier Giroud has paid tribute to current France coach Didier Deschamps for his faith in him, to the people behind the scenes in France’s staff, to his family and the fans. “This France team I served for 13 years will be forever etched in my heart. It is my greatest pride and my best memory.”