2 weeks ago
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Olivier Giroud has admitted that he never had any doubts about joining AC Milan when they called, despite having other offers.
Giroud was at Milan for three seasons, and there are not many players who stayed for that long and are as beloved as the Frenchman. Having arrived for a low fee from Chelsea, he scored big goals against the likes of Napoli and Inter to swing the Scudetto in the Rossoneri’s favour in 2021-22.
At the end of the 2023-24 season the striker made the decision to try a new experience out in the United States with Los Angeles FC. However, the draw of playing in Europe proved to win him over again as he returned to play for Lille in the summer window that has just closed.
Giroud is the cover star of Thursday’s edition of L’Equipe and he gave an interview reflecting on his career, including some behind the scenes details. MilanPress have relayed his words.
Behind the scenes of AC Milan and Giroud as a child
“My friend Lolo [Laurent Koscielny] called me before Lille. A few seasons ago, I also had opportunities at Marseille and Lyon. Olivier [Létang]had also tried to get me to sign with Rennes, but when I left Chelsea, Milan contacted me and returning to France was no longer an option.
“I recently saw a photo of myself as a child in my room with a Milan poster. It was obvious! I feel lucky to have been able to play a leading role in the clubs I supported as a child, fighting for titles.
“And that’s what I want to do here too, with Lille. With Paris, it’s difficult to aim for Ligue 1 victory, but there are other competitions. I want to win with Lille too.”
Is Zlatan Ibrahimovic an inspiration for your desire to keep going?
“I have a contract with the club, and it’s a contract of trust that says, ‘I have to do my job because I’m not here on vacation.’ It’s a question of respect, including for oneself, and of not ending up disappointing.
“I still feel I have the ability to make a contribution. I have this desire, this determination. I spoke about it with Zlatan when I was at AC Milan. He told me that if you don’t have this, even if your body is ready to help, there’s no point in continuing.
“And I have all of this. Furthermore, I want to pass on and give back to football what it has given me. It’s my role, my duty.”
How are you approachable in the Lille dressing room, with a list of honours like that?
“I’m a person like everyone else. I don’t have the ego of some players. Take Zlatan for example: we don’t have the same personality at all. When he entered the dressing room or on the pitch, the others had to be up to par and make the right pass.
“Otherwise… I made everyone feel at ease from the start. I’m proud of this availability, this closeness I can have with the young players and with everyone at the club.”
English (US) ·