The days of leave of Olivier Giroud, probably granted some time ago by his leaders, to be celebrated at the Stade de France eight months after his international retirement, fell badly for the Los Angeles FC. If the 2018 world champion striker has still not scored in MLS and has lost his place as a holder on certain matches, the Californian club led by Hugo Lloris is in a catastrophic series. The Angelinos lost 5-2 in Seattle a month ago, before chaining a draw and three other defeats, two in MLS (Austin FC and San Diego FC) and one as Cup (Columbus Crew). It remains on 11 goals conceded in five games …
The LAFC has however managed to qualify in the quarter-finals of the North American C1, to face the Inter Miami of Lionel Messi (as well as Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez). The franchise of Major League Soccer created by David Beckham is in a completely different dynamic: seven wins in the league and in champions Cup. The training led by Javier Mascherano has not yet lost a match on behalf of the 2025 season. Quite simply.
Lionel Messi against Hugo Lloris during the penalties of the 2022 final in Qatar.
Lloris, Giroud and his teammates have the advantage of receiving in the quarter -final go, this Wednesday (5:30 am in France on the night of Wednesday to Thursday). The 38 -year -old goalkeeper finds the Ballon d'Or record for the first time since the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, lost by the Blues on penalties. The two clubs, located at the opposite in the United States, did not face each other in 2024. There are two conferences in MLS (East and West) and the teams do not face all the members of the other conference.
Hugo Lloris, a big fan of Messi
In any case, Hugo Lloris, interviewed on Lionel Messi, is full of praise towards the Argentinian captain. The tribute is immense.
“I don't think we will see a player of this caliber one day. He can make the difference at any time. I am proud to be part of his generation. He brought foot to football so much and I have immense respect for him ”said the former captain of the French team at a press conference.
And to continue during another interview: “Face players like Messi, Suarez, you have to increase your level of aggressiveness, concentration, you must be regular in the match, because as soon as you show a little weakness, they will benefit from it. It's always a great challenge to meet the big players, a player like Messi, there is only one, what he did is so incredible, what he brought to football … I was of this generation, there is admiration “.
Lloris only faced Messi six times in his career for a single victory. It was during the round of 16 of the 2018 World Cup in Russia against the Albiceleste of Jorge Sampoli (4-3). His second and only confrontation on the international scene was therefore at Lusail Stadium. In the club, the native of Nice was eliminated in 8th in the Champions League with OL by Barça (1-1, 5-2) and, with Tottenham, he only met Barça during the 2018-2019 group phase, for a 4-2 defeat in London, with a double of the number 10 Blaugrana, and a 1-1 draw.
