Olivier Giroud announced that he would turn the page on the France team after Euro 2024. Top scorer in the history of the Blues, the player has not earned his “legend” status, according to some.
2018 world champion like Kylian Mbappé, Raphaël Varane and Hugo Lloris, Olivier Giroud has entered the history of the France team. And in several ways, since that famous evening in Russia, punctuated by a victory in the World Cup final against Croatia, the French center forward has become the top scorer in the history of the selection. With fifty-seven goals on the clock, the veteran has not earned his “legendary” stripes, according to some observers.
Following the interview given by Olivier Giroud to The Team, in which the striker announced his departure from the Blues after Euro 2024, Johan Micoud explained why he could not give him this status. “ He will inevitably have marked the history of the French team. Afterwards, I find that in certain important World Cup or Euro matches, there are missing goals which would qualify the team, which would allow the team to come back. I think that’s a little lacking in Olivier Giroud’s international career. »
Trezeguet, a French legend
Not a legend, for the sports media consultant, but the repeated recognition of an obvious talent and an impact on the life of the Blues. “ Obviously, he will have scored with his record of goals for the selection. » And Johan Micoud comes back to this famous important or striking goal, which would be missing from Giroud’s record for the Blues. “ Giroud, the only goal I remember is England (during the 2022 World Cup, editor’s note). It’s a quarter-final, it gives you victory. But for example, if we compare to (David) Trezeguet (decisive scorer in the Euro 2000 final won by the Blues in extra time against Italy, editor’s note), it’s a title. That is to say that with this goal, you are going to get the cup. So obviously, it has another weight. »
There therefore remains a final opportunity for Olivier Giroud to, perhaps, make his mark even further in the history of the Blues. If Didier Deschamps’ men were to reach the final, will the one who will soon wear the Los Angeles FC jersey come out of his box at the right time? Will it shine brightly during the other matches that the French will play in this German Euro? Becoming a legend will probably be at that price.
