Olivier Giroud Bids Adieu to International Football After Euro 2024 Semi-Final Exit

Olivier Giroud, France's top goal scorer, retires from international football after Euro 2024. Spain defeated France in the semi-finals. Giroud, who announced that Euro 2024 would be his last, leaves with 57 goals in 137 appearances and is the country's third most-capped player.

France's leading goal scorer, Olivier Giroud, has announced his retirement from international football following the conclusion of Euro 2024. The 37-year-old striker was part of the French squad that exited the tournament in the semi-finals.

Giroud had hoped to end his international career on a high note, but those dreams were dashed with a 2-1 defeat to Spain. The seasoned striker, who had earlier declared this would be his final competition in French colors, leaves the international stage with 57 goals in 137 appearances, making him France's top scorer. He is also the country's third most-capped player, following Hugo Lloris and Lillian Thuram.

The former Arsenal and Chelsea striker took to Instagram to share a heartfelt note about his retirement. "A page is now turning... I am flying towards other adventures. I am becoming, from now on, the first supporter of the Blues. This French team that I served for 13 years will remain forever engraved in my heart. It is my greatest pride and my most beautiful memory," wrote Giroud. His first appearance for France came in 2011 under the management of Laurent Blanc.

Giroud was also part of France's 2018 World Cup-winning squad, although he failed to score during the tournament. In the 2022 World Cup, he scored four goals as France reached the final but fell to Argentina on penalties. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)