Giroud content with decision to leave Milan: “The right time to say goodbye” | OneFootball

Olivier Giroud has revealed that he has zero regrets about deciding to leave AC Milan when he did, insisting he wanted to leave European football on a high.

Giroud joined Milan during the 2021 summer transfer window and he instantly established himself as a fan-favourite, scoring some massive goals in the conquest of the 2021-22 Scudetto including a derby-winning brace against Inter.

After a couple of one-year renewals, the Frenchman decided that it was time to move on last summer. Whilst it is believed that Milan offered Giroud an extension on his deal to stay at the club, at 37 (now 38) he made the call to move across the Atlantic Ocean to join Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer.

Giroud spoke to StatsPerform and as part of the interview he was asked if it was hard to leave Milan and the French national team in favour of a new life a long way away. MilanNews relayed his comments.

“It’s better this way because now I spend more time with my family. My family is happy, only my children were a bit disappointed that I stopped playing for the French national team because they enjoyed it, but I explained to them that it was time to make room for younger players,” he said.

“I did my part, and I couldn’t have hoped for a better career with Les Bleus: becoming the all-time top scorer, winning the World Cup, and playing in three major finals [Euro 2016, World Cup 2018, World Cup 2022].

“It was incredible, and there’s nothing more important than the national team. I’m really proud of what I achieved, proud of my family and friends. I left the highest level of European football while playing for Milan and a major competition with France, it was the right time to say goodbye.

“Of course, I miss the national team, as well as the responsibility of representing my country on the field, but I’m happy that there are young players ready to carry the flag high.”