Soccer

France striker Olivier Giroud to end international career after Euro 2024

The AC Milan forward has agreed a move to Los Angeles FC.

Olivier Giroud is to end his international career this summer
Olivier Giroud is to end his international career this summer (Mike Egerton/PA)

Record France goalscorer Olivier Giroud has announced his intention to retire from international football after Euro 2024.

The former Arsenal and Chelsea striker has scored 57 goals in 131 appearances for France and was a member of the squad that won the World Cup in 2018.

The 37-year-old agreed a deal to join Los Angeles FC earlier this month after three years with AC Milan but does not intend to continue on the international front.

Giroud won the World Cup in 2018
Giroud won the World Cup in 2018 (Owen Humphreys/PA)

“To be honest, this will be my last competition with Les Bleus,” Giroud told L’Equipe. “Obviously, I’m going to miss it a lot.

“But I think the French team will be over after the Euros. 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.

“I’ve always said that I was going to stop when my body asked me to. I think I’ve got two good years left but, as far as the French team is concerned, I think that’ll be the end of it.”

Giroud will play his final game for Milan, with whom he won Serie A two years ago, against Salernitana on Saturday. He will then link up with France having been named in manager Didier Deschamps’ provisional squad for the Euros.