Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry, Michel Platini, David Trezeguet, Antoine Griezmann, Karim Benzema. Those are just a few names who have failed to do what Olivier Giroud has done for France by scoring 52 times for the two-time world champions.
Here, we run through his career and how he has managed to achieve this outrageous feat.
Un 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗗 𝗟𝗘́𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗘, fêté par tout le groupe 👏𝗠𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘂𝗿 de l'histoire des Bleus, @_OlivierGiroud_ a reçu un maillot floqué 5️⃣2️⃣, comme le nombre de buts inscrits depuis novembre 2011 (117 sélections 🇫🇷) !#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/GXl9rjczlL— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) December 7, 2022
Un 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗗 𝗟𝗘́𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗜𝗥𝗘, fêté par tout le groupe 👏𝗠𝗲𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘂𝗿 de l'histoire des Bleus, @_OlivierGiroud_ a reçu un maillot floqué 5️⃣2️⃣, comme le nombre de buts inscrits depuis novembre 2011 (117 sélections 🇫🇷) !#FiersdetreBleus pic.twitter.com/GXl9rjczlL
Giroud has been slightly fortunate in his pursuit of becoming France’s all-time top scorer. It has only, in reality, arrived because Benzema did not play for the national team for a few years, forcing the AC Milan striker into the number nine role for many years.
In fact, Benzema has scored 37 times in 97 caps, and although this is 18 goals fewer than Giroud, the Real Madrid man also has 19 fewer caps.
This isn’t to take anything away from the stunning record he has, but in comparison to the aforementioned stars, Giroud has not quite been on the level of others at club level.
The Frenchman made a name for himself at Montpellier by stunningly winning the Ligue 1 title against the odds with 21 goals in 36 games. A move to Arsenal would follow, and his record with the Gunners has since been slightly disrespected with 105 goals in 253 games helping to bring in three FA Cups.
Giroud moved from Arsenal to Chelsea after being made surplus to requirements, and although his record saw him net just 39 times in 119 games, it was when he scored that made the difference.
Solo brilliance in the FA Cup semi-finals, a thumping header in the Europa League final and six goals in eight games en route to winning the Champions League in 2020/21 catapulted his career into superstardom.
When it looked as if Giroud’s career would be heading into its twilight years, the former Arsenal man moved to Milan and became a cult hero with the Italian giants.
11 Serie A goals in 29 games was vital in Milan winning their first Serie A title in 10 years, which included one of the most famous braces in Milan derby history.
From a goal down against Inter Milan, Giroud netted twice in the second half at the San Siro to rocket the Rosseniri to the top of the league.
Even when it looked as if he may be nearing the end of his time in Italy, Giroud has bounced back with five goals in 13 Serie A games this season as Milan remain within a shout of defending their title.