At 39, Olivier Giroud performed in the Europa League and refused to leave the pitch: “I told him I could!”
Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published on Thursday, 26 February 2026, 23:22 / Updated on Thursday, 26 February 2026 23:23
Olivier Giroud (39 years old), the player from Lille, reacted after scoring an important goal in his team's duel with Red Star Belgrade, score 0-2, after extra time, the second leg of the Europa League play-off.
In the first leg, Steaua Roșie prevailed 1-0 on Lille's field, but in the second leg, Giroud equalized the situation after only 4 minutes. The game went into extra time and Ngoy scored the decisive goal for the French in the 99th minute. The 39-year-old forward revealed after the game that despite his age, he demanded to play the full 120 minutes. The top was integralist.
Olivier Giroud, performance at the Marakana at 39 years old: “I feel and think I can contribute”
“We were very solid and compact. We didn't leave much space, they are dangerous with long balls, but we stayed compact after the first goal. This is the first step for qualification. We continued to believe in our game and did good things.
I answer well. I feel and believe that I can contribute to the team, even though I am so many years old. I told the coach that I can stay on the field until the end, even if it was a bit critical at the end. It's all in the mind. Even if the body does not listen to you, with the mind you go forward. I'm happy for the win and the qualification. I also congratulate the fans, thank them for their support,” Olivier Giroud said, according to sportal.blic.rs.
Olivier Giroud arrived at Lille in the summer after a spell in the US at LAFC. This season he has 33 games, 9 goals and an assist in all competitions for Lille. It is quoted by specialized websites at one million euros.
He also played for Grenoble, FC Istres, Tours, Montpellier, Arsenal, Chelsea and AC Milan. He is a world champion and winner of the Champions League with Chelsea. He also has a champion trophy in France, a Scudetto, a Europa League trophy, four FA Cups and three English Super Cups.
