If he took advantage of the 2022 World Cup to become the top scorer in the history of the Blues (53), Olivier Giroud also had a very difficult time in the final.
As with his teammates, but perhaps even more so about him, the 2022 World Cup has been an emotional rollercoaster ride for Olivier Giroud. First because he wasn’t sure whether to play it before Didier Deschamps mentioned his name when the list was announced. Then because nothing said that he would manage to shine or even score, he who had remained silent during the coronation of 2018. Finally at the rendezvous, the center forward investigated the goals until passing Thierry Henry and his 51 pawns with the Blues. But while everything smiled on Olivier Giroud, everything collapsed in the middle of the final against Argentina. He recounted that moment.
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Sunday in front of the cameras of Telefoot, the AC Milan player spoke about the competition and more particularly the moment when Didier Deschamps decided to take him out in the forty-first minute of play. While France did not exist against Argentinians who were already leading 2-0 after thirty-six minutes, the coach therefore chose to release Ousmane Dembélé and Olivier Giroud to try to sting his team. Very annoyed by this decision, the former Gunner had a hard time dealing with this moment. ” The final ? Hard. Because I felt good at the start of the match, good in my game, good physically. »
” That’s it, it’s over “
Returning to sit on the bench, Olivier Giroud was therefore in a very dark mood. ” That’s it, it’s over. The World Cup stops there for me. Lots of feelings swirling around in my head at that moment. Disappointment, frustration, anger, misunderstanding. For five minutes I am on the bench, disgusted and mad with rage. “And then he pulled himself together, along with the Blues and Kylian Mbappé. ” I put myself fully behind the team. It was, I think, the best final in the history of the World Cup. Everything was there. »
Or almost, since cruel fate decided that Lionel Messi’s Argentina would win on penalties. ” It’s so hard, the outcome of penalties. It’s like tossing a coin, heads or tails. “But now it’s ancient history and the veteran is once again looking forward, he who has not retired from international football and who intends to continue his adventure in blue. Everything will once again depend on the choice of Didier Deschamps who will announce on March 16 his list for the first qualifying matches for Euro 2024 (March 24 and 27).
