A spectacular goal for his farewell: Olivier Giroud did not miss his last match with AC Milan in the Italian Championship on Saturday on the occasion of the 38th and final day of Serie A. The French striker who will joining Los Angeles FC and the North American Championship after the Euro at the age of 37, made San Siro roar one last time by scoring his 49th goal, volleyed, in all competitions since his arrival in 2021 in Milan.
Replaced in the 84th minute of a match which ended in a draw (3-3), Giroud was entitled to a final standing ovation from San Siro, with fans standing, chanting his name and waving banners in French “Thank you number 9” and “Thank you Olivier”.
At the end of the match, Giroud, like his Danish teammate Simon Kjaer, also at the end of his contract, and Stefano Pioli, was celebrated one last time by his teammates, managers and supporters. “I want to thank this club for the trust it has shown in me, I was welcomed like a brother in this family, thank you to the leaders, to Ibra,” he declared, very moved.
“Forza Milan!” »
“I also want to thank the ‘Mister’ (the coach) for his trust, his support when things were not going well. We experienced some great moments with this incredible first season, one of the greatest moments of my career,” continued the Milanese No.9. “Your songs will forever remain in my heart. When I was little, I dreamed of playing for Milan, I am very proud to have played for this club, I will never forget these three seasons at Milan, Forza Milan! “, he concluded.
Speaking to the DAZN platform, he then explained that he “really wanted to score this last goal”: “I needed to score to say goodbye to Milan”. “When I arrived, I was 35 years old, I experienced a second youth thanks to this club, with all these young people in the locker room (…) I have never experienced such emotions elsewhere than in this stadium, a such passion, such love for football,” he assured.
Three successful years after the Chelsea struggle
In three years spent in the Rossonero jersey, Giroud won an Italian championship title, in his first season in 2021-22: alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he scored eleven goals that season, including a decisive double in the Milan derby against Inter (2-1) in February 2022. The former scorer for Montpellier (2010-12), Arsenal (2012-18) and Chelsea (2018-22) finished the exercise 2023-24 top scorer for his club with 15 goals in the league, his best performance since 2016.
During his Milan career, Giroud also donned the gloves and goalkeeper jersey last October against Genoa after the exclusion of his compatriot Mike Maignan. He made two saves which allowed his team to win 1-0. He will wear the AC Milan jersey one last time, during a friendly match scheduled for May 31 against AS Rome in… Australia, before joining the French team for his last tournament in Blue.