Olivier Giroud is eternal. While he seemed to have given up on high-level football by joining Los Angeles FC, the former Gunner made a thunderous return to Ligue 1 by signing a one-season contract with Losc. And despite his 39 years, the Savoyard is showing his advantage with already three goals in eight matches.
And the world champion is performing so well that some do not hesitate to ask the question of his return to the French team. Questioned at length in the columns of L'Equipe this Thursday, the person repeated that he was always available to the French team if the need arose for Didier Deschamps.
“I was honored in March by the FFF tribute at the Stade de France and I am not a fan of comebacks. But once again, because it's the French team and because it's a duty to defend your country's jersey, you should never say never. If there is a need, if I am competitive and available, I will be there,” he confided, nevertheless taking the trouble to specify: “But it’s really very unlikely.” You have to be serious. »
Olivier Giroud ready to be of service
And Olivier Giroud illustrates his point with the October rally, marked by many absences in attack. Faced with the unavailability of Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, Marcus Thuram, Rayan Cherki and Désiré Doué, Didier Deschamps has indeed expanded his group a little further. After Hugo Ekitike and Maghnes Akliouche, called up for the first time in September, the French coach did not hesitate to call up Jean-Philippe Mateta, launched into the deep end at 28 years old.
“There is already a very big massacre currently, I don’t think I’ve ever seen that in the French team. And coach Deschamps didn't need to call on me, he pointed out. Either way, he knows my position on this. It’s great for Jean-Philippe Mateta that he’s been called up. It’s also a great example that he can taste all that at 28 years old. Plus, she seems like a nice person to me. Afterwards, if there is an even bigger massacre and the coach, at some point, is in trouble, it will be… We will have to think. »
