Leaving AC Milan, Olivier Giroud Follows Lionel Messi To The United States

Striker Olivier Giroud will leave AC Milan and move to the United States. (X/@acmilan)

JAKARTA - AC Milan veteran striker Olivier Giroud will leave the Italian Serie A. Milan did not renew his contract so Giroud decided to move to the United States to play in MLS. He followed former Barcelona captain Lionel Messi and star players who had worked in Europe.

MLS is a player's destination near retirement age. Unlike the Arab League, which is still reinforced by top players and can actually compete in Europe. Moreover, MLS has an attraction following the arrival of Messi who joined Inter Miami.

Giroud, who is 38, will step aside from Europe and continue his career in the US. Milan did not renew Giroud's contract even though at a young age, the former Chelsea and Arsenal striker remained one of the mainstays of the team's front lines.

The sharpness of the French national team striker has not shown any signs of a decline.

This season, he has scored 14 goals and made nine assists during 36 matches in various competitions. In Serie A, Giroud managed to break into the opponent's goal 12 times as well as become the club's top scorer.

After his contract was not extended by Milan, he did not intend to retire. Moreover, Giroud still won the trust of the national team coach Didier Deschamps.

He still received a call from Deschamps when Les Bleus conducted a trial against Germany and Cili.

Giroud also moved to the US to join the Los Angeles FC. He is reported to have reached a verbal agreement with one of the elite MLS clubs.

According to the plan, Giroud will be awarded a contract until December 2025. This means that he will continue to play until the age of 39.

At LA FC, Giroud joined his compatriot, goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. They have won the 2018 World Cup together. Lloris, 37, is the seventh oldest player in MLS.

They will compete with Inter Miami which will not only rely on Messi but also other former Barca such as Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.

In addition, there are Martin Caceres who play in the Angeles Galaxy. Meanwhile, other players include Maya Yoshida, Teemu Pukki, Christian Benteke, Lorenzo Insigne, Ashley Westwood and Asier Illarmendi who play at MLS.