Olivier Giroud bid farewell to AC Milan with a goal in his final match for the club, a thrilling 3-3 draw against Salernitana. The French forward, along with coach Stefano Pioli, played their last game for the seven-time European champions.
Giroud, a beloved figure among fans, scored his 17th goal of the season, bringing tears to his eyes as he celebrated.
After his final matches for France at Euro 2024, Giroud will continue his club career with Los Angeles FC, concluding his three-year tenure at Milan with a total of 49 goals.
Giroud’s impact at Milan goes beyond his goal-scoring prowess. He played a crucial role in the team’s Serie A triumph in 2022, the only trophy he won during his time in Italy.
The fans recognized his contributions, especially his decisive brace in a derby victory that helped Milan secure the Scudetto, narrowly beating their local rivals Inter Milan.
As Giroud was substituted in the closing minutes of the match, the supporters sang chants in his honor.
The emotional farewell continued as he addressed the fans on the pitch, expressing his gratitude and highlighting the title win as one of the greatest moments of his career.
He shared a heartfelt embrace with his parents, marking the end of an era for the veteran striker.
Coach Stefano Pioli, who guided Milan to their Serie A triumph two years ago, also bid farewell. He received a warm round of applause from both fans and players, who lifted him on their shoulders as a sign of respect and appreciation.
Pioli expressed his gratitude to the team, acknowledging the shared experiences of joy and pain throughout their journey.
He assured them that the fire in his heart for Milan will never fade away, promising not to forget the memories they created together.
Milan announced on Friday that Pioli would be leaving the club after four-and-a-half eventful years in charge.
Under his leadership, Milan returned to the upper echelons of Italian and European football, reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League last season.
However, their failure to challenge Inter for the title, a series of defeats in the Milan derby, and early exits from European competitions ultimately led to Pioli’s departure. Lille coach Paulo Fonseca is reportedly set to succeed him as Milan’s new coach.
