The availability of a wealth of high-quality attacking options has led to the veteran striker falling down the pecking order in Didier Deschamps’s squad.
Olivier Giroud insists he is “far from finished” for France essentially dismissing speculations suggesting he could retire from international football after Euro 2020.
Karim Benzema’s return to the French squad to end his six-year exile was good news, but not to Giroud.
Benzema brings with himself added competition for a place in the Les Bleus starting XI for the Chelsea man, who was among the substitutes in both their group stage games.
The 35-year-old remained an unused substitute in the Group F opener against Germany and was afforded about a quarter of an hour in the 1-1 draw with Hungary.
“I’m not finished, far from it. Count on me, grandpa is not dead!” Giroud told Le Figaro ahead of Wednesday’s crunch clash, France vs Portugal.
“I’m almost 35 but have the hunger of a 20-year-old guy. I know how to do it with the team.
“The France team has a fairly incredible strike force, but I have a card to play because there are no other players with my profile.
“I am here to respond and bring what I want. I have the desire and, if the young people want to move me, they will have to be ready too.”
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