Olivier Giroud: “My state of mind remains the same”, “60 goals why not”, the best of the striker’s press conference

“If I can reverse the trend because I feel combative, I will,” assures Giroud. dpa – Friso Gentsch

The former Montpellier striker is experiencing his last competition with the French team. At 37, he assured that his motivation was intact during a press conference on Friday June 14 in Germany. Giroud also admitted to having been touched by the armband and the love of the supporters during the last friendly in France, last Sunday against Canada (0-0).

In Ouest France, Mbappé said that you are the "dad" bruises. How does this manifest itself in daily life ?

So much the better, he didn't say "grandpa" (smile). I have a bit of this role of big brother with the younger ones with whom there can be a gap of a few years if not more. But I don't feel that out of step because in my head, I'm younger than my age. I sleep, I laugh, I rather like their music even if we don’t have the same tastes. On the pitch, I try to be myself, to be present for them, to put them at ease. I didn't know Bradley (Barcola) before this competition, I try to talk to him, ask him questions about his family, how he feels in Paris, etc. This is necessary to welcome, integrate as best as possible, to make them feel good.

Does politics in France have an impact on preparation ? What is your view as a citizen ?

I'll be brief. No impact on our preparation, clearly. And if I have one piece of advice to give to the French, it’s to go and vote. This is the most important. An abstention rate of 50% is not normal. I won't give details about my political leanings, I'm here to talk about football.

You are not leaving to be a starter in Qatar. Which is the case here. How do you handle this situation ?

That’s a bit of the story of my career at certain times. That doesn't sum up everything, but the periods when my back was against the wall, at Arsenal, at Chelsea, I always managed to bounce back. The most important thing is to stay in the right frame of mind. In 2018, already in the first match, I then reversed the trend. In Qatar it was a little different. My state of mind remains the same, unchanged, with the desire to bring to this team with what the coach will give me. Everyone knows that I think collectively before myself. Whatever my role, I hope to give my best and enjoy every moment, especially for my last competition.

"I am filled with excitement, nostalgia, desire"

Is it easy to pass to Marcus Thuram while being a competitor ?

D’all the more difficult since he’s an Interist (laughing). No, he’s a little brother. I remember that I spoke to Lilian (Thuram, his father) at Clairefontaine who had some nice words for me. I have this respect for him, as I do for Marcus who will take over in the future. I am here to support him, to help him, there is no spirit of competition between us. If I can help him, because now we have to pass the torch.

Mbappé absent from the session on Thursday. How do you find him physically ? Does this worry you ?

That doesn’t worry me at all. He was spared because he took a knock in the first friendly match. I am not medical staff. If he needs to rest, he rests. It is not by missing one or two training sessions that he will lose his condition. He has the legs that we know him to have and the determination to compete in a great competition. It will be ready, don't worry.

This is your last competition. Does it have a special flavor ? What ambition do you have here in Germany ?

First of all I would just like to say that I was very touched by the welcome from the supporters in France, it warmed my heart. I am filled with excitement, nostalgia, desire. The main objective is the collective as usual, trying to have the best competition. This competition that we lost in 2016 at home remains in the back of my mind. I still dream about it today. I have a lot of hopes. Personal goals come second. I was told about a round number, 60 goals, why not depending on playing time (he has 57 goals in 133 national teams, Editor's note). 

💬 Olivier Giroud : « Si j'ai un conseil à donner aux Français, c'est d'aller voter. C'est le plus important, un taux d'abstention de presque 50% ce n'est pas normal » pic.twitter.com/CN8NpSuvcs

— L'ÉQUIPE (@lequipe) June 14, 2024

When you approach your last competition, you can either announce it after or before. You made the second choice. Does it offer you lightness, does it free you?

I didn't make a press release but I just said that it was probably the last because I am making a life choice in the United States. I asked myself the question after the 2022 World Cup. You have to be clear-headed about the situation, I'm going to be 38, I'm going to the USA, for the Blues you generally have to evolve at European level. It doesn’t change my attitude to have announced it. But it is logical that this competition is the last, it is the logical continuation of the end of the contract in Milan and the Euro. There will be a lot of nostalgia, memories that will stay with me. But I try not to think about it too much, to concentrate and enjoy.

Saying that we are passing on the torch, isn’t that dangerous? Isn’t there the risk of being less combative?

Obviously I prefer to be on the pitch, starting matches. I respect the coach’s choice. But when I come back, I will do my best. At the time, the team had already asked me the question. We're going to settle the scores (laughing). It was my debut, I lacked experience. I said that obviously I wanted to be a starter. They titled it "I want to be N.1". Obviously I prefer to be a starter! It doesn't change my competitive spirit if the coach doesn't get me started. If I can turn the tide because I feel combative, I will. Believe me, I'm far from having left in a cooler, more relaxed state of mind. I am here. (Benjamin Pavard, remaining backstage, applauds)

You were captain against Canada at the group's request. Is this a form of recognition?

It warms my heart from the guys, from the audience who were chanting my name too. It’s a source of immense pride. I'm not chasing the armband. At first I said no. They insisted. It will remain a nice gesture, a nice evening. That’s also the French team, this kindness, this respect. I thanked them very much.