Centurions Olivier Giroud, Thomas Muller and Xherdan Shaqiri end their international careers
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
France’s all-time leading goalscorer Olivier Giroud confirmed his international retirement on July 15
PHOTO: AFP
PARIS – Centurions Olivier Giroud of France, Germany’s Thomas Muller and Xherdan Shaqiri of Switzerland have all announced their international retirements after the 2024 European Championship, which ended with Spain lifting the title on July 14.
France’s all-time leading scorer Giroud confirmed his international retirement on July 15, calling time on a career that saw him score 57 goals in 137 appearances.
“The long-dreaded moment has arrived: the moment of saying goodbye to the French national team,” Giroud wrote on Instagram.
“We’ve become an inseparable band of mates under the watchful eye of one man: the coach, Didier Deschamps, whom I thank for his trust. Despite our ups and downs, he has enabled me to become Les Bleus’ all-time top scorer.
“The France team I served for 13 years will always be engraved in my heart. It is my greatest pride and my fondest memory.”
Over the course of his international career, the 37-year-old won the World Cup in 2018 and was also a World Cup and European Championship runner-up.
He broke Thierry Henry’s national scoring record of 51 at the 2022 World Cup, where France lost to a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina on penalties in the final.
Muller also called time on his 14-year international career on July 15.
The 34-year-old featured in his eighth and last tournament on July 5, in Germany’s 2-1 quarter-final defeat by Spain, when he was brought on as a substitute in the 80th minute.
Muller helped Germany win the 2014 World Cup and has the third-most appearances for the national team with 131 caps and 45 goals. He also won the Golden Boot and Best Young Player award during the 2010 World Cup, where Germany finished third.
Germany’s Thomas Muller looks dejected after the team’s Euro 2024 quarter-final defeat by Germany on July 5.
PHOTO: REUTERS
“It always made me very proud to play for my country. We celebrated together and sometimes shed a tear together,” Muller said in a farewell video on social media.
“When I had the privilege of making my first international appearance, I would never have dreamed of all this. I would like to say thank you to all the fans and my Germany teammates for their support over the years. Take the enthusiasm and joy of this year’s Euro with you.”
Shaqiri ended his international career after winning 125 Switzerland caps and becoming the only player to score in each of the last three World Cups and European Championships.
Switzerland’s midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri celebrating after scoring his team’s first goal during the Euro 2024 football tournament against Belarus.
PHOTO: AFP
Midfielder Shaqiri, 32, is Switzerland’s second most-capped player after teammate Granit Xhaka on 130 caps. He represented his country at four World Cups and three European Championships.
“Seven tournaments, many goals, 14 years with the Swiss national team and unforgettable moments. It’s time to say goodbye to the national team. Great memories remain and I say to you all: thank you!”, he said on social media.
AFP, REUTERS
