Olivier Giroud on Karim Benzema’s retirement: “We all want to choose how we finish up.” | OneFootball

In an interview with Europe 1, Olivier Giroud was asked to give his opinion on the international retirement of Karim Benzema.

“It’s a shame to end like this. It’s his choice, we can’t put ourselves in his place. Compared to everything he has done for France, in his club, in his career, I would have preferred that he could finish with a good final. It’s his decision. He was an important player for us. We all want to choose how we finish up, let’s allow that to happen as best as possible for all. If he made the choice to stop, it must be respected. He must have felt that he no longer wanted to or could no longer go on and that his story with France was over. It does not concern me, I will not comment on that. In any case, it is certainly sad to see him leave like that after the World Cup, knowing that it was surely his last. Leaving on an injury, that must hurt.”

Olivier Giroud is now the elder statesman of the French national team squad at 36, following the retirements of Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda and Karim Benzema after a 2022 World Cup campaign that saw Les Bleus make it to the final, only to fall at the final hurdle to Argentina in a 3-3 affair that was decided by penalties.

Giroud has recently indicated that he is seeking to participate in EURO 2024, which would extend his spell with the French national team until the age of 37. Mbappé has often spoken about Giroud’s importance in helping create space for France’s new captain to have goal-scoring opportunities.

Les Bleus do not currently have a ready-made target man replacement for Giroud, although Gladbach attacker and soon to be free agent Marcus Thuram deputised for the AC Milan player at points during the World Cup. Lyon attacker Moussa Dembélé also has the correct profile.

James Thorpe | GFFN