The France striker Olivier Giroud mentioned that his decision to join MLS was influenced by advice from former crosstown rival Zlatan Ibrahimović. During LAFC’s formal introduction of Giroud on Thursday, he highlighted how Zlatan’s views on the league shaped his choice, especially as he considers LAFC schedule in the demanding MLS season.
LAFC Schedule: Olivier Giroud Reflects on Zlatan’s Influence
“I spoke to Zlatan — which was the wrong part of the city,” Giroud added of the former Manchester United, Inter Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain player, who spent the 2018 and 2019 seasons with the LA Galaxy.
“He assured me I’d like it; it’s a league for strikers…the teams don’t play to maintain the score or defend. They play to score goals and entertain the enthusiastic supporters.”
Giroud is one of his generation’s most accomplished players, having won 11 major titles and scoring around 300 goals in over 700 club games. The 37-year-old French striker joined with LAFC in May.
Giroud arrived in the United States after spending 18 years in the best professional divisions of Ligue 1, the Premier League, and Serie A, including the last four seasons with AC Milan. He has scored 285 goals in 716 club matches.
“I can bring my experience, my professionalism, my goals, and of course all the advice I can give,” he told me. “I’ll be accessible to my partners. It is a different championship than Europe, which has improved significantly in recent years, but it is still distinct. I have to adjust, but I will be there to contribute.”
Giroud will train with LAFC schedule for the first time on Friday, followed by his first game appearance, which is expected to be many weeks away.
Giroud almost came to Los Angeles four years ago. He said that he spoke with executives from the LA Galaxy but informed them that it was not the appropriate moment for him to leave Europe. Instead, Giroud will wear the number 9 for the Galaxy’s main adversary.
“I’m delighted to be here in LA, and join a great, young club that’s always doing very well,” said Giroud. “I’m looking forward to being on the field with the lads and sharing my expertise. My aims are to be a competitor and always strive to do my best for the team.”
Giroud’s last international outing for France came last month at the European Championship. He appeared off the bench in four games, including a 2-1 defeat to eventual winner Spain in the semifinals. He was a part of the 2018 World Cup-winning team and set a national record with 57 goals in 137 Les Bleus outings.
When Giroud makes his LAFC debut, he will become the 17th player to win a World Cup while also playing in an MLS game. Giroud’s contract with LAFC runs through the 2025 season, with an option for 2026.
He is LAFC’s second French player, behind goalie and former national colleague Hugo Lloris. Antoine Griezmann has also been linked to MLS and the Los Angeles Football Club.
Giroud’s scoring has grown in the last four seasons. After scoring just four goals for Chelsea in 2020-21, he scored 11 in his debut season with AC Milan in 2021-22, 13 the next year, and 15 this season.
LAFC trails the Galaxy by two points in the Western Conference, but they have two games in hand. LAFC won its first MLS Cup in 2022, and it reached the final last year before falling to Columbus.
“We are second at the table but the target is to finish at the top,” Giroud informed the crowd. “And one of the reasons I wanted to join MLS is because I’ve watched the league evolve over the last ten years, and it’s now at a much higher level than it was before.
Coach Steve Cherundolo has had to work in a huge summer signing before. He accomplished it two years ago with Gareth Bale and Giorgio Chiellini.
During the press conference, Cherundolo informed Giroud, “You have full freedom with the group. You may say anything you want; I’ve got your back.
“He is a constant winner, goal scorer, and champion. These are the elements we need to help our club go even more,” Cherundolo remarked. “And most importantly for this particular group, his leadership skills, which I’m really looking forward to seeing.” It took Giroud less than 24 hours to learn one of Southern California’s drawbacks: traffic.
Giroud landed in Los Angeles on Wednesday night. LAFC schedule was delayed by 35 minutes due to traffic on their way to the downtown hotel. “That is the only weak point,” Giroud added, laughing at the gridlock.
