French team: Giroud's heartfelt tribute to Didier Deschamps

18.07.26 FT World Cup

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Didier Deschamps' tenure on the French bench came to an end Saturday after the third-place play-off of this 2026 World Cup.

Already retired from international duty for two years, Olivier Giroud paid tribute to the work of the French manager.

"We will be linked for life. The words you spoke in the dressing room after that match on the legendary July 15, 2018, still echo in my mind today! I will never forget these 12 years we shared, united by passion and love for the blue jersey. I am grateful for your trust, your drive to get the best out of me—even when you pushed me to my very limits! It has been a privilege and a tremendous honor to make French football history by your side with our team. A new chapter begins, but what you have built will forever be part of the history of the French national team," wrote Giroud on Instagram.

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.

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