France squad: Will we see Olivier Giroud in blue again?

Stop or again? Olivier Giroud, 120 rebounds, 53 goals, has begun to think about his future with the French team, but has not yet fixed the end of his adventure. The 36-year-old striker says he is still at the disposal of Didier Deschamps, even if he has not been indifferent to the recent statements of Steve Mandanda and especially his great friend Hugo Lloris, who have both decided to end their international careers. after the World Cup. “While I continue,” he said in an interview with Canal Football Club on Sunday. It did something for me that Hugo stopped after all these years together. Our relationship was special. »

While the draw is scheduled for March with two games against the Netherlands and Ireland in qualifying for Euro 2024, the Milan striker does not close the door. “Anything can happen,” the striker guarantees. From the moment I did not announce my retirement from abroad, I can be chosen. First of all, I have to ask myself if deep down I still want to wear this blue jersey. You know how important this is to me. That’s why I take my time to make a decision. »

A native of Chambery does not want to rush things. He never made a secret of his affection for the French national team, which was the thread of his career. The adventure became epic thanks to the 2018 World Cup title and his status as the Blues’ all-time leading scorer ahead of Thierry Henry (51 goals). Following the package of Karim Benzema, he crossed the World Cup in the short clip. Who could have predicted such a trajectory after the last failure at the Euro?

Single profile

‘Disappointed and surprised’ by his substitution before half-time in the Argentine final, Olivier Giroud has the features of a phoenix that steadily rises from the ashes. But as we age, some questions remain unanswered. But even if Didier Deschamps proves himself at Euro 2024, his unique profile gives Giroud the opportunity to call up again, while Benzema has made it clear he won’t be back. Giroud is a real support, both for storage and for the surface. Randal Kolo Muani, Markus Thuram or Christopher Nkunku cannot be used in this way, while Eli Wahi or Amin Ghouiri still has a long way to go to integrate A. The option of reorienting Kylian Mbappe remains. The Parisian played part of the Axis final against Argentina (3-3, 4-2 from penalties) on 18 December, but we know his preference when he starts from the left. What’s more, no one has forgotten his release in September, when he said he had “more freedom” to pick with a “number 9 like Olive on the defensive.” It’s hard to believe that Deschamps missed it too…