Topic of the day in France? Kylian Mbappe’s best game since the start of the season, the statement of the Paris Saint-Germain striker after the game that there is more freedom in the national team, or the victory over Austria itself, which the world champion avoided relegation from the elite division of the Nations League? None of that.In the home of the world champions, the most talked about topic is Olivier Giroud’s performance last night! A game that gave birth to the question – is there a place for the 35-year-old AC Milan striker on Didier Deschamps’ list for the World Cup in Qatar?The performance against Austria was Giroud’s 112th in a jersey with the national emblem. He was marked by the experienced goalscorer in the right way. In addition to the assist that sent Mbappe into a solo breakthrough, the tall striker scored the goal that sealed the victory, his 49th for the French national team, and now he is only two short of equaling Thierry Henry’s record, and three short of taking over the status of the legendary Arsenal footballer – the best scorer in the history of Les Bleus. Also, with 35 years and 357 days old, Giroud became the oldest player to score for the French national team. The fans at Saint-Denis greeted him with a standing ovation, and after the match French journalists asked Deschamps to comment on the situation.##NAJAVA_MECA_6660728##”It’s not for me to interpret. Olivier deserves it, I’m very happy for him. He’s been in some very, very, very difficult situations over the last few years, with very little or no opportunity to play, and every time he’s been called upon he played in the French national team. This is very good for the squad,” Deschamps reminded.And indeed, there were times when his club performances might not have merited an invitation. For example, in the 2017/18 season Giroud scored only seven goals in 29 games in the Premier League. However, at the end of it, he was on the list of passengers for the World Cup in Russia. That summer, as a reminder, he remained without a shot on target for the entire championship, although he started six out of seven games, and France lifted the famed trophy.However, he clearly has a great influence on the team, both on and off the field, which is why he received calls from Deschamps again and again. Mbappe also spoke about Giroud’s influence after last night’s match.”The coach knows that as a nine he has Olivier Giroud, who occupies the opposition’s defense and then I can walk around and get into spaces. We get along well, we cooperated well, even with Griezmann, because he played even more offensively tonight. We speak the same footballing language, it was satisfying. Moreover, he managed to score and come close to Titi’s record. I think it was a good night for him. Plus for us? Of course, when you are the second-best scorer in the history of France, if you’re not plus then, then you’ll never be! He did us a big favor tonight,” said Mbappe.If you were Didier Deschamps, which duo would you play up front in the World Cup?1. Retweets for Benzema ft Mbappe2. Likes for Giroud ft Mbappe pic.twitter.com/p0ff3Xegsw— Albanus 10 (@Kiswili_10) September 23, 2022 Again, it’s a bit strange that in the previous period, when he improved his form after arriving in Milan and started to score regularly, he got called up less and less. He missed the second part of the World Cup qualifiers, just like the final tournament of the Nations League. He was only on the list for the friendly matches with the Ivory Coast and South Africa, and he scored a goal in both.Last night’s match against Austria was his first since then, and he was again among the top scorers. At the club level, he continued where he left off last season. At the beginning of September, in the Derby della Madonina against Inter, he scored the 300th goal of his career, and in a total of nine games for Milan in all competitions, he already has five goals and one assist. However, Deschamps could not (did not want to) guarantee Giroud a seat on the plane to Qatar even in the previous days and last night.”I don’t know what the media write, I’m not interested. What I’m interested in are the conversations I have with him. But I know how everything works, since time immemorial – there is a path between actions and words. I’m not saying it’s impossible, but that’s one of the things which I will think about in the near future. He doesn’t have to convince me of anything, he knows what I’m thinking. I won’t go back to that, to repeat the things I’ve already said,” Deschamps said two days ago, and last night he again referred to same topic:”I never said I would lose his services. You draw your own conclusions. He scored a goal, so much the better for him. He will have to continue to play well. But don’t misunderstand my words. Did I say he will be with us or not – I did not. But he’s doing everything to be here. The competition is high in all positions. I can lead 26 players. It’s good that it’s like that, I’ll have enough time to think,” Deschamps concluded.##NAJAVA_MECA_6666895##In an interview with Telefoot at the beginning of the month, Giroud himself did not hide his hope of participating in the World Cup in Qatar, his potential third in his career.”I hope I’m not done with the French national team yet, having the desire to play is very important at my age. I don’t know if I’ll be invited, but one of my goals is to get the opportunity to play in the third World Cup. I can’t say not to think about it. If I become world champion, I will have to do something crazy. Shave my beard ha-ha-ha,” joked Giroud.If we consider that Karim Benzema is undisputed, Giroud should fight for one of the remaining two spots on the list with Christopher Nkunku, Anthony Martial, Wissam Ben Yedder, Moussa Diaby and possibly Marcus Thuram. These are all players who were called up in the previous period when there was no place for Giroud.
