Giroud retiring from France duty after Euro 2024

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Olivier Giroud, the all-time top scorer for the France men's national team, will retire from international football after Euro 2024.

The 37-year-old told L'Equipe's Francois Verdenet and Loic Tanzi that it's time for him to make way for the next generation of France's best.

"Obviously I’m going to miss it a lot, but I think my time with the French team will be over after the Euros. I need to cede my place for the young players," Giroud said.

Giroud has scored a men's record of 57 goals over 131 France caps and won the 2018 World Cup. He was also a member of the squad that finished runner-up at Euro 2016 and won the 2020-21 edition of the Nations League.

He made his first international appearance when he came on as a substitute for Kevin Gameiro in a friendly against the United States in 2011. Giroud's debut occurred in the same season that he won a surprise Ligue 1 title with Montpellier.

France begins its Euro 2024 campaign against Austria in Dusseldorf on June 17 before meetings with the Netherlands and Poland round out the group stage for Didier Deschamps' side. With pre-tournament friendlies included, Giroud could potentially end his France career on 140 caps.

"There is a bit of nostalgia for all those years gone by," Giroud added. "Obviously, there will be a lot of emotions, a lot of details, and memories that will resurface, but we have to put that aside and enjoy every moment once again … emotion must not take over.

"There is still a competition to win, even if it will be special for me."

Giroud will join Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer in July after spending three seasons with AC Milan. Hugo Lloris, who has the most appearances for France's men's team with 145, has been with LAFC since the start of the 2024 MLS season.