LAFC forward Olivier Giroud was honored at Stade de France in Paris on Sunday in a glowing celebration of his career with the French national team.
Prior to France’s decisive victory over Croatia in the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal, Giroud was officially acknowledged for having retired from international play last fall. He received an outpouring of gratitude from friends, teammates, and a crowd of more than 80,000 fans in the stadium where he debuted for Les Bleus in 2011.
Star forward Kylian Mbappe, in a tribute video released by the French Football Federation, reminded the world that Giroud is “the top scorer in the history of the French team. He won titles with us, he was important, he was impactful.”
Goalie Mike Maignan called Giroud, “a team player with a gift for selflessness, who always sacrifices himself for the team, who is always there when we need him.”
“A great, great player,” added defensive midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni. “A wonderful person. He’s always been a leader of the group.”
Giroud’s contributions to French football are many. His 57 goals rank first in the team’s 121-year history. (Giroud surpassed legendary striker Thierry Henry in 2022.) Only two players have earned more caps for France than Giroud’s 137: Lilian Thuram (142) and Giroud’s LAFC teammate, Hugo Lloris (145).
Fans’ affection for the 37-year-old Chambéry native poured forth 20 minutes before Sunday’s match as they sang "Hey Jude" by The Beatles, substituting the key line with a resounding, “Giii-roud!"
The occasion marked not only a celebration of Giroud’s retirement from international duty, which he announced after Euro 2024, but his ceremonial induction into the national team’s Hall of Fame, which is reserved for players who have achieved over 100 caps, placing him alongside fellow French legends Lloris, Henry, Thuram, Patrick Vieira, Didier Deschamps, Zinédine Zidane, and Marcel Desailly.
"It warms my heart,” an emotional Giroud said as he spoke in front of a tifo created in his honor. “We experienced extraordinary moments that will remain in my heart for life. This team already misses me, but I support it with all my heart. I want to thank all the French who supported us throughout the years.
“I feel lucky to have experienced this."
