Olivier Giroud Anticipates Football Retirement After Current Season

Olivier Giroud, the celebrated former French national team forward, who is set to mark his 40th birthday this Wednesday, has indicated a strong likelihood of concluding his professional football career once the ongoing season wraps up.

Currently playing for Lille, Giroud made history by becoming France's all-time leading goal scorer during the 2022 World Cup hosted in Qatar. However, his impressive record was later surpassed by Kylian Mbappe earlier in the current year.

In an interview with l’Equipe newspaper, Giroud revealed his thoughts, stating, “as a player, I think it is very probably my last season.” He further emphasized his approach, adding, “That’s why I’m making the most of every moment.”

His illustrious career highlights include lifting the World Cup trophy with France in 2018. For his national side, he netted an impressive 57 goals across 137 international caps.

Beyond his international achievements, Giroud boasts a remarkable club career, securing league championships both in France with Montpellier and in Italy while playing for AC Milan. A significant pinnacle of his club journey was winning the coveted Champions League title with Chelsea in 2021. Additionally, he has clinched the FA Cup four times, with three of those victories coming during his tenure at Arsenal.

His professional football journey commenced in 2006 with Grenoble, competing in the French second division. His final appearance for the French national team was recorded in 2024.