‘Father’ Giroud wants France Euros redemption
Credit to Author: Reuters| Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2024 14:03:54 EST
Olivier Giroud says Kylian Mbappe will be ready for France’s first Euro 2024 game after the striker’s absence from a training session. (0:51)
Olivier Giroud has embraced the role of father of the France team at the 2024 European Championship and is looking to erase the disappointment of losing the 2016 final against Portugal on home soil.
The 37-year-old striker will call quits on his international career at the end of the tournament in Germany, and move to Major League Soccer (MLS) with Los Angeles FC.
“I am filled with excitement, with nostalgia, with desire. The main objective is to have the best competition possible,” Giroud said during Friday’s news conference.
“The loss in the final in 2016 remains in the back of my mind. This is the competition I dream of winning.”
In previous tournaments, Giroud has played a vital role off the bench in France’s group matches, often finishing the competitions in the starting XI.
“It’s a bit of the story of my career at certain periods, when my back was against the wall, on the bench at Arsenal at the end of my time there, at Chelsea at the end, but I always bounced back.
“The most important thing is to stay in the right state of mind. I showed it in 2018 [at the World Cup] where I managed to reverse the trend. My state of mind remains the same, with the desire to give something to this team, with whatever role the coach gives me.
“Whatever my role, I’ll be giving my best and enjoying every moment, especially since it will be my last competition.”
Teammate Kylian Mbappé termed Giroud the “father” of the France team in a recent interview.
“At least he didn’t say grandpa,” quipped Giroud. “It’s true that I have a bit of a big brother role with the younger ones.
“But I don’t feel that out of step with them. In my head, I am younger than my age. I tend to laugh with them, appreciate their music choice even if we don’t necessarily have the same tastes. I try to put them at ease.”
France’s key forward Mbappé was not present for the squad’s training session on Thursday but, concerns about the fitness of the new Real Madrid star were shut down.
“He took some rest he’s not going to lose his physical condition just because he missed one or two training sessions.” Giroud said.
“He still has the same legs that we all know and the same determination to achieve a great competition. So, don’t worry he’s going to be ready for the first game.”
France open their Group C campaign against Austria on Monday.