PARIS: France’s all-time leading goalscorer Olivier Giroud confirmed his international retirement on Monday, calling time on a career that saw him score 57 goals in 137 appearances. “The long-dreaded moment has arrived: The moment of saying goodbye to the French national team,” Giroud wrote on Instagram. “We’ve become an inseparable band of mates under the watchful eye of one man: The coach, Didier Deschamps, whom I thank for his trust. Despite our ups and downs, he has enabled me to become Les Bleus’ all-time top scorer.”

“The France team I served for 13 years will always be engraved in my heart. It is my greatest pride and my fondest memory,” added the 37-year-old.

Over the course of his international career, Giroud won the World Cup in 2018 and was also a World Cup and European Championship runner-up. He broke Thierry Henry’s national goalscoring record of 51 at the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar where France did not surrender the title they won in 2018 easily, losing to Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina on penalties in the final.

Giroud made his debut in 2011 and scored his first goal during his third cap when he netted the opener in a 2-1 friendly win against Germany.

He scored the last of his record-setting 57 goals for the French national team in March 2024 with what proved to be the winner in a narrow victory over Chile.

The striker had said in May that Euro 2024 would be his last major international tournament. He made four appearances from the bench as France reached the semi-finals where they lost to eventual winners Spain.

The former Arsenal, Chelsea and AC Milan striker will join Major League Soccer outfit Los Angeles FC next season. “He had a lot of good moments, but also some more difficult ones,” coach Didier Deschamps said. “He is an example of longevity, seriousness and professionalism. Even though he had less playing time at this Euro, he was fully with the squad. He is one of the leaders. I want to say well done and thank you.”

Giroud won his first cap in 2011 against the United States, when Laurent Blanc was coach, and was a member of France’s World Cup-winning team in 2018. Ironically, World Cup success in 2018 came as Giroud led France’s attack but failed to score at the tournament in Russia. In Qatar four years later, he netted four as the French reached the final and lost it to Argentina on penalties. When he announced his international retirement, Giroud said he still had two good years in his legs, but that he was starting to feel his age. “I thought about it carefully. Playing every three days is more and more difficult, especially at this level.” – Agencies