Olivier Giroud is already the all-time top scorer for France but he is not relenting in his quest for more international goals and honours.
The 36-year-old AC Milan striker took his national team goals tally to 52 when he netted in France’s 3-1win over Poland in the round of 16 of the Qatar 2022 World Cup on Sunday, pulling clear of Thierry Henry’s long-standing record of 51.
France face England in a heavyweight quarter-final clash at the Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday, with Giroud anticipating his team’s toughest test yet in Qatar against Gareth Southgate’s unbeaten team.
The former Arsenal and Chelsea star is relieved that the record is out of the way as France seek to become the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.
“You look at everything you’ve achieved up to that moment (record-breaking goal),” Giroud told FIFA. “I’ve been in the national squad for the past 11 years and had some incredible moments with the team, as well as some rather difficult moments.
“But the most important things are to be focused on your work, to have a constant desire to improve the qualities we possess as individuals, and always give your best for the team.
“And now it doesn’t matter what your role is in the team – the most important thing is to bring heart to the game.
“It’s a great privilege to be able to achieve this record in a World Cup, and especially to help this team go far in the competition. This 52nd goal means a lot to me, a lot of people were saying, ‘We wanted you to score [in matches following opening-game double against Australia]’.
“I didn’t have the opportunity to score against Denmark [2-1 group-stage win] and I didn’t play in the [final group] match against Tunisia.”
Giroud believes he shares a ‘natural and spontaneous’ relationship with Kylian Mbappe, his partner in the France attack who is 13 years younger and is the leading scorer in Qatar with five goals.
“I got a good ball from Kylian in the box and took the shot the way I know how,” said Giroud.
“All the better for me as well as for the team. It was a big relief and now, if I may say so, I’ve achieved this [record] and I still hope to score many more goals to help the team. But the most important thing is for the team to pull together as one.”
