Former Chelsea player announces retirement from international football

Former Chelsea and AC Milan star player Olivier Giroud has announced his retirement from international football following France's Euro 2024 exit.

Former Chelsea and AC Milan player Olivier Giroud has announced his retirement from international football after France's heartbreaking exit from Euro 2024.

Before the tournament began, the striker had declared that it would be his final international competition. Unfortunately, his last game for Les Bleus ended in a semi-final defeat against Spain, marking a bittersweet farewell.

Giroud, known for his clever runs to the front post that often outmaneuver defenders, has been celebrated for his playing style and knack for scoring goals as a substitute. This has earned him the titles of a "target man" and a "super sub" in the media. Despite these accolades, many pundits regard him as one of the most underrated strikers in the world.

The former Arsenal and Chelsea forward retires as one of the greatest players in French football history. He is France's all-time leading goalscorer with 57 goals in 137 appearances, making him the third most-capped player for the national team, behind Hugo Lloris and Lilian Thuram.

Throughout his illustrious career with France, Giroud has collected several major honours:

• FIFA World Cup: Winner (2018), Runner-up (2022)
• UEFA European Championship: Runner-up (2016)
• UEFA Nations League: Winner (2020-21)

In a heartfelt statement on Instagram, Giroud reflected on his career: "The dreaded moment has arrived: the moment to bid farewell to the French national team. My career with the French national team hasn’t always been a smooth ride. I’ve sometimes doubted and suffered criticism, but deep down I’ve never stopped believing."

He continued, "Hard work, humility, and prayers have helped me through the difficult times. Thanks to the unfailing support of my wife and my four wonderful children, I’ve always found the strength to fight and come back even stronger each time."

Read the Latest Sports News and Get Fresh updates on X and on Facebook