France World Cup winner Olivier Giroud has indicated that his long and distinguished playing career could be approaching its final chapter. The veteran forward, who is nearing 40, has suggested that the current campaign is likely to be his last as a professional footballer.
Speaking to French newspaper L’Équipe, Giroud reflected on his future and acknowledged that retirement is now close. “As a player, I think very likely this is going to be my last season,” he said.
The French forward also stressed that he wants to enjoy the final stage of his career rather than look too far ahead. With his playing days potentially coming to an end, Giroud said he was trying to make the most of every moment he still has on the pitch.
Giroud leaves behind a substantial international record. He made 137 appearances for France and scored 57 goals, establishing himself as one of the most prolific forwards in the country’s history. For a period, he held the record for the most goals scored for the French national team.
That record was achieved during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when Giroud moved beyond Thierry Henry to become France’s all-time leading scorer. His record, however, has since been surpassed by Kylian Mbappé, another generation-defining French forward who has taken the top position on the national team’s scoring list.
Giroud’s international career also includes one of the biggest achievements in French football. He was part of the France squad that won the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Although his contribution was not measured solely through goals, his role in the team’s attacking structure made him an important part of Didier Deschamps’ side.
His club career has been similarly decorated. Giroud won the French league title with Montpellier before establishing himself in English football. During his time with Arsenal, he won the FA Cup three times, contributing to a total of four FA Cup triumphs across his career.
The forward later achieved one of the most significant honours of his club career with Chelsea. In 2021, he helped the London club win the UEFA Champions League, adding European football’s premier club trophy to his collection.
Giroud also enjoyed success in Italy with AC Milan, where he won the league title. His career has therefore taken him across several of Europe’s major football leagues, with major domestic and continental honours along the way.
His international achievements remain particularly notable. Giroud scored 57 times in 137 appearances for France, helped the national side lift the World Cup in 2018 and briefly held the country’s all-time scoring record before Mbappé overtook him.
Giroud has not yet announced his retirement as a completed decision, but his comments point clearly towards the possibility of the current season being his final one. After a career spanning international glory, domestic titles and European success, the experienced forward is now focused on enjoying what could be his final moments on the pitch.
