French football star Olivier Giroud plans to retire from international football after the 2024 UEFA European Championship in Germany.
Giroud, who currently plays for AC Milan in Serie A, has been included in coach Didier Deschamps’ provisional squad for Euro 2024. Given his wealth of experience, he’s expected to make the final team.
Since his international debut in 2011, Giroud has scored a record 57 goals in 131 appearances for France. He was part of the squad that won the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the team that finished as runners-up in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Giroud, who has also played for Arsenal and Chelsea in the Premier League, helped France win the UEFA Nations League and finish second in the 2016 UEFA European Championship. At 37, he hopes to feature in his second European Championship final on July 14, 2024, in Germany.
“This will be my last competition with Les Bleus. I’m going to miss it a lot,” Giroud told L’Equipe. “We need to make way for the youngsters. You also have to be careful not to have one season too many. You have to find the right balance.”
Giroud’s contract with AC Milan expires this June, and he has reportedly agreed to an 18-month deal with Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC. He is expected to play his final game for AC Milan on Saturday, May 25, against Serie A’s bottom-placed club, Salernitana.