France’s Olivier Giroud in action against Poland. Reuters
Doha: France and AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud has described becoming the country’s all-time top scorer as a ‘relief.’
The 36-year-old surpassed Thierry Henry’s national record when he scored for Les Bleus in their Round of 16 3-1 victory over Poland. Giroud had equalled the record against Australia in France’s first group match in Qatar.
“This record inevitably reminds me of all the years that have passed, 11 years in the France team, with highs, low moments,” Giroud said yesterday during a press conference at the French team’s training base.
“The most important thing is to set a good example also for young people, in everyday life, who want to progress, believe in their team.”
“I arrived in the France team at the age of 25. If that can be an example for those who have an atypical background, it would be a source of pride. You can’t have everything right away.
“You always have to believe in your qualities; you can move mountains. I’m proud to have reached this point, but I don’t want to stop here. This 52nd goal is a tremendous relief,” Giroud who now has three goals at the World Cup, behind leading scorer Kylian Mbappe added.
The former Arsenal man also said the quarter-final match against England would be a great game, but France must stick together, especially coming up against players they know.
“It will be very tough with (Kyle) Walker and (Harry) Maguire. I’ve played a lot of games against these guys. I know them well, and they know me well. The game will come down to details. They are a complete team, dangerous from set pieces with size and good players.
“It’s not just me against them, though, it’s a French team that must stick together and be in the game at all times.
“They will grab any opportunity to score, so we have to stay strong together. I will have to try and score. I’m sure it will be a great game to watch. The main thing for us is to win,” Giroud added.
The former Chelsea man also hailed French coach Didier Deschamps. He disclosed that the 54-year-old who has won the World Cup twice already – as a player in 1998 and in 2018 with France still has the desire to win.
“He has not fundamentally changed in the way of managing the team. I see him talk a lot more with the players now; maybe there was a bit less of that with me in Euro 2021. He talks every day, more as we get closer to the match. He hasn’t really changed.”
Giroud insisted that despite the significant injury toll to Les Bleus, they are committed to winning because the team has great cohesion and want to win for “the boys that are at home injured.”
“We are thinking of them and winning for them. It’s a family in the national team, and we feel blessed because we still have so many qualities. Unfortunately, we don’t have these great players, but we still have great players in the team, so we want to go as far as we can,” he added.
