France legend Olivier Giroud hints at international retirement after Euro 2024 as AC Milan forward admits 'he is missing' continental crown in stunning trophy collection

Posted Sunday, December 03, 2023 by Goal.com

Olivier Giroud has hinted at retiring from international football after Euro 2024 as he labels it the "missing" trophy in his collection.

WHAT HAPPENED?
The forward was keeping a close eye on the Euro 2024 draw, which unfolded in Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie on Saturday, and saw France being drawn into Group D alongside Austria, the Netherlands, and the playoff winner A (among Poland, Wales, Finland and Estonia). It is one of the tournaments that Giroud is yet to win in his illustrious career and the 37-year-old vowed to keep no stone unturned to finish on the podium on July 14 in Berlin. It could potentially be a milestone match for the former Arsenal hitman as the forward revealed that he is contemplating hanging up his boots after the continental event.

WHAT GIROUD SAID ABOUT RETIREMENT
Speaking to RMC Sport, Giroud said: "I am missing this Euro. If we win it, I will bow out. That might also be the case if we don't make it to the end. I'm enjoying every moment. I said to some guys that if we won the 2022 World Cup, I was withdrawing. But I am hungry for titles with my country. I have a lot of hopes and ambitions. If it goes well, it is possible that it could be a possibility."

WHAT GIROUD SAID ABOUT THE DRAW
Giroud was content with the draw results as he feels they have been placed in a relatively easier group than in 2021, where they had to take on Germany, Portugal, and Hungary in the round-robin stage.

"We know the Netherlands very well, it has always been contested against them. We will wait for the barrage because on paper, Wales and Poland are perhaps more armed. It is perhaps a draw more lenient than the last Euro," he said. "Austria has good young people. There are guys who play in big clubs. We have to move into this group but it won't be easy and it will make for good matches."

WHAT NEXT FOR GIROUD?
Giroud made his debut for France against the USA in November 2011 and has netted 56 times for Les Bleus, which makes him the all-time leading goalscorer for his national team. he has been in prolific form in this campaign as he boasts of having seven goals in 11 matches for AC Milan in Serie A. He will be back in action against Atalanta on December 9 after missing the fixture against Frosinone due to suspension.