Scorer against Monaco with Lille last Sunday after having already marked for his debut in his new colors at the opening of the Ligue 1 season, Olivier Giroud is in great shape at almost 39 years. So much so that the rumor of a return to the French team began to make his way, although he announced his retirement and was celebrated during his last selection. Asked about the subject, the ex-Gunner had explained that he had probably had his day, while leaving a very small window open if the nation called for him.
This Wednesday, the name of Olivier Giroud did not appear in the list of 23 players called by Didier Deschamps for the start of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with meetings against Ukraine and Iceland. At a press conference, the coach of the Blues had to answer a question about the one who has long been considered one of his darlings and who has contributed to his accession to the status of top scorer in the history of the French team.
Deschamps is happy for him
“Olivier was clear. He added three words that interest you: 'Never say never'. You only retained that. He said a lot of other things. (…) He has said goodbye and he knows there is a new generation that arrives, he said. He was an important, decisive player who contributed to titles. He had a very difficult season in the United States so there I am very happy for him. It is always pleasant to feel this popular and media support that he has not always had elsewhere ”explained Didier Deschamps.
Except hecatombe or explicit desire for the interested party to return to the Blues, it would seem that everyone has turned the page in this story. Olivier Giroud will be able to focus on his goal: to qualify Lille in the Champions League after having shown that he still had it under the hood.
