France WC Winner Olivier Giroud Announces Retirement From International Football

France striker Olivier Giroud plans to retire from international football following next month's European Championship, stating he wants to avoid playing "one season too many."

"To be honest, this will be my last competition with Les Bleus. Obviously, I'm going to miss it a lot," Giroud told L'Equipe in an interview published on Thursday.

"But I think the French team will be over after the Euro. 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." he added.

Olivier Giroud To Retire After Euro 2024

Giroud, who recently moved from AC Milan to Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer, has earned 131 caps for France and was a crucial member of their 2018 World Cup-winning team.

At 37, Giroud is France's all-time leading goal-scorer with 57 goals, surpassing Thierry Henry during the 2022 World Cup.

France, who were eliminated by Switzerland in the last 16 of Euro 2020, last won the European Championship in 2000. They will play Austria in their group stage opener on June 17, followed by matches against the Netherlands and Poland.

When asked about his goals for the European Championship, Giroud replied: "No, I really don't."

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