Olivier Giroud may have won it all in Europe – but it was always a dream to add Major League Soccer to his decorated career.
The 38-year-old left the Premier League in 2021 after six years with Arsenal and then three more in Chelsea, and won four FA Cups, the Europa League and the Champions League in England. He now lives life in California with Lafc in the MLS, where he undertakes with colleague France World Cup winner Hugo Lloris, after a successful Stint in Italy, where he has added the Serie A title with AC Milan to the French Ligue to the French Ligue 1 that he won with Met Montpellier 13 years ago.
The leading goal scorer of France has already collected his first piece of silverware with the newest club of Los Angeles – who has just started their eighth season – by scoring in the US Open Cup Triumph last season. Mirror Football belonged to a small group that met the popular striker in the state-of-the-art training facility of Lafc before they watched their opening day at Minnesota United in Los Angeles on the weekend.
The chance to add a new competition to his resume, but more importantly to spend more time with his wife Jennifer and their four children, was something that Giroud always had in his mind. And then there are also the obvious benefits of life in America – the sun.
“The weather is a bit nicer,” he admitted. “There are many things to do. I have always had the ambition to play here when the time was ripe. There are many things to do.
“It reminds me a bit of London, where I lived for nine years, and I really enjoy this city. This determination to be successful and always work to improve my game. I couldn't hope for more.
“I always had this mental power to push myself out of my comfort zone. The determination to be successful and always work to improve my game. I couldn't hope for so many nice trophies and nice memories that I had with Arsenal.
“Montpellier, when we won the competition, was crazy because we were not built for that. Then working with Arsene Wenger and playing the Arsenal way was really fun.
“We also won the biggest trophies with Chelsea and Milan. Winning the Scudetto After 11 years the fans waited for that. It was insane. I feel blessed with all the things I have achieved and won in my career.”
Giroud now enjoys the latest chapter of his remarkable career – and is never seduced by a possible return to England. Arsenal has suffered a disastrous injury crisis, with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz both for the season, while Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have also picked up beating.
Chelsea is also without their most important striker in Nicolas Jackson – but Giroud is happy with his life in LA. Asked by Mirror Football if he would consider returning to help his former clubs, he said: “No, I am getting old … I will be 39 soon.
“To play in the Premier League at that age, even if you have my determination and my competitive side, I think the train has already passed. Arsenal has a really good team, good strikers.
“It was definitely one of my best years in my career. Like I said, I really enjoyed my time there. The Premier League was my child dream. Playing for Milan was also a child dream.
“That is why I am grateful and blessed. If you tell me that Arsenal and Chelsea want to sign me next year, it is a different story. But let's be serious. I am here in MLS to reach the best season I can. “
However, Giroud's move to LA has not been without challenges. He only arrived in September and was not fully prepared for earthquakes, power cuts and LA -traffic.
Los Angeles recently fought against the most devastating fires in the history of South California. Reflecting on the dark side of his adventure, he said: “Since I arrived in LA last summer, we had three power outages in five days of 10, 12 and 15 hours.
“There was a huge earthquake when we were on the training field. Then there were all the fires. It was a really sad situation. People lost everything.
“Hopefully there will be better days. It is part of life. Sometimes you have great days and sometimes difficult moments.
“We thank the first responds and firefighters who have done great. It really made me sad. I was scared. I hope they will make every effort and make improvements to prevent these fires from coming again.
“It can't happen that often. I try to support by giving some things to the people who have lost everything. This is when you have to support the people who need it.”
Giroud has had a remarkable career and is now focusing on glory in America with Lafc. And when he decides to hang his boots, the Globe Trotter wants to stay in a sport that has given him so much.
He added: “I would like to give something back to football. What I learned from football, people who helped me to become the player and the man I am today. I want to give back to football.
“In what way I don't know. I don't think I will be a coach. I want to stay active after my career and stay in football. We will see. It will be a matter of opportunities. I want to stay in football. “
Comments