OL' TIMER
Olivier Giroud admits he’s France’s ‘father figure’ with Euro 2024 set to be final tournament before MLS transfer
The veteran striker will retire from international football after the tournament
OLIVIER GIROUD is embracing his role as the father, or even grandfather, of the French team.
But that doesn't mean the ex-Arsenal and Chelsea man, France's all-time top goalscorer, has his slippers and pipe out in Germany.
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Giroud has confirmed that this will be his final major tournament with France before heading off into the twilight of his career with LAFC in Major League Soccer.
The suave talisman, 37, has won the World Cup, Champions League, Europa League, four FA Cups and titles in France and Italy across a stellar career in Europe.
Giroud, hailed as the father of the French by captain Kylian Mbappe, said: "I am happy he said father not grandfather.
"People look at me like a big brother or father figure for sure, I've been like that for a couple of years now.
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"I am quite young in my head, I like laughing. I kind of like the music they listen to. We have a lot of things in common.
"I try and stay myself. I am there for the younger players if they need someone to talk to.
"I ask questions and get them to talk, make them feel comfortable.
"These things are necessary to welcome the new players and help them integrate as well as possible."
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Teammate Benjamin Pavard added: "When I arrived in the French team he welcomed me in, helped me integrate.
"Most people have a very good relationship with Olivier. He is somebody that is an extraordinary person."
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But Giroud is not just here to make everyone else feel comfortable.
He is challenged by Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani for a starting spot and will not back down when it comes to competition.
Now he wants to earn a starting spot and go out in a blaze of Euros glory before heading Stateside.
He added: "I am full of excitement, nostalgia.
"I still have the desire to win, the objective is to go as far as possible. We lost 2016 at home, that stays in the back of my mind. I still dream of winning that cup.
"I wouldn't change anything about my career, I am proud of everything with the French team and my clubs.
"It has surpassed my dreams. It would be even greater if we could win the Euros."
I am happy he said father not grandfather.
Olivier Giroud
Ending his international career by adding a European Championship to the 2018 World Cup victory would go a long way to silencing any remaining critics.
Despite scoring 57 goals for France, more than any other player, Giroud is still seen as unfashionable by many in his home country.
He was even once compared to a "go-kart" by teammate Karim Benzema - who dubbed himself a Formula 1 car.
Emmanuel Petit, who won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 with France, told SunSport: "He is the example of humility, hard work and concentration.
"He has been through so much criticism, for ten years. It didn’t matter what he did on the pitch he was always receiving criticism.
France Euro 2024 guide
FRANCE are the one nation all England fans are truly afraid of.
They are many punters' favourites after knocking the Three Lions out of the 2022 World Cup and will be hoping to do much better than at Euro 2020, when they lost to Switzerland in the last 16.
MANAGER: Didier Deschamps
Coming up to 12 years in the job, the only thing missing from his CV is a European Championship.
STAR MAN: Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe's PSG may have underachieved on the European stage but he remains France's most deadly threat, with a World Cup trophy and a World Cup final hat-trick to his name.
How France attack
Expect to see France play in a fluid 4-3-3 - which becomes 4-2-3-1 in possession - throughout the tournament.
Giroud acts as the focal point in the attack with the two wide players and Griezmann as No 10 supporting.
How France defend
We can expect to see France defend high with an emphasis on winning back possession as far up the pitch as possible.
France will stagger their defensive shape when the opposition are in possession.
Read the full France Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags.
"I was always one of the few defending him because for me, I have a huge respect for Olivier Giroud.
"It is sad it will be his last competition, he has already broken a lot of records in France.
"You will find people who dislike him because they don’t like the way he plays."
Giroud's record with France is even more impressive given that he was such a late bloomer, not making his debut until the age of 25 back in 2012.
Even though Giroud started late, he has continued to evolve his game but says the fundamentals are still there, while also revealing that former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger predicted his long career.
Giroud said: "My qualities are still the same, still explosive, Arsene Wenger said I could play late in my career because I work on my speed. I have progressed in my game on a technical level."
Petit, speaking on behalf of Betway, added a parting message for the France great: "Thank you very much, Olivier.
"You have been an example, mentally in terms of showing composure all the time, being strong mentally and that is what sport is.
"The definition of sport is always having to put away your own limits, doesn’t matter what people say you have to get targets and do everything you can to reach that target.
"That is exactly what Olivier did all the way through his career."
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Betway have created the ultimate guide for fans travelling to Germany for the Euro’s.
So whether you’re looking for the best places to eat and drink, or looking for the best nightlight or just want to brush up on your local phrases, their guide has you covered!