France

‘A sign from heaven’ – Olivier Giroud on turning down Everton and his Mbappé ‘feud’

12-Oct-2021 15:54:34 | The Guardian

The Milan striker on faith, the family friend who told him to stay away from Goodison and his highs and lows with France

It could have felt like fate was taunting Olivier Giroud. The striker has not been selected by his country since France’s failure at the European Championship, and on Sunday Les Bleus beat Spain in the Nations League final without him thanks to goals by Karim Benzema and Kylian Mbappé, and all in Milan’s San Siro stadium, Giroud’s home since he left Chelsea in the summer. But when the striker pitches up for an interview over Zoom the next day, he is a man at peace.

The 35-year-old has recovered from the back trouble he suffered following a bout of Covid-19 last month and he hopes to return to action in Serie A this weekend. He is happy with his new life in Italy, where Milan signed him for his forward play but also for his ability to serve as a positive example to the team’s many young players.