Giroud hopeful to return to France for World Cup after Milan success

Olivier Giroud says he still intends to play for France at the World Cup later this year, after helping Milan win the

title in his debut season in the country.

Didier Deschamps has left Giroud out of his team for France's four UEFA Nations League matches next month, which include a double-header against 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia. 

However, the forward has excelled since joining

at the start of the season, partnering Rafael Leao (both 11) as the Rossoneri's highest league goal scorers as Pioli's side won their first Scudetto since 2010-11.

Giroud has 112 caps for France and is just three goals away from equaling Thierry Henry's 51 goals for Les Blues, but he will be 36 years old when his team kicks off their World Cup campaign on November 22.

However, the former Arsenal and Chelsea striker acknowledges that he would want to play in the final of global football's premier event, despite the fact that he is presently focused on enjoying a good club season. 

"It would be a lie to say that I don't want to play a third World Cup, certainly my last competition," Giroud told Europe1 Sport.

"At that point I will be 36 years old. And if I am still competitive with my club, yes, I hope to continue helping France. 

"There are still many months to go. Until then, I'll take advantage of my holidays and savour this title with my club. Then we'll see what happens."

Despite having won the World Cup, Champions League, and Europa League, Giroud's Serie A championship was just his second league trophy, and his first since winning Ligue 1 with Montpellier in 2011-12.

After holding off Inter's attempt to equal the Nerazzurri's 19 league championships, Giroud believes the current Rossoneri side has earned a place in Milan's illustrious history.

"There have been great players who have passed from Milan," he added. "But it is a source of pride to have contributed to the construction of this Scudetto, eleven years later with experienced players like [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, it is fantastic. 

"We had a great season, we were rewarded for all our efforts and yes, we are entering the history of Milan. We are still a long way from the big names in Milan, but it's nice to be associated with all these great players."

Referring to the side's energetic celebrations, Giroud added:

"I think you really realise the impact it has had in Milan and Italy on the open bus, seeing these hundreds of thousands of Milanese fans who have been waiting for a while. 

"We are all very proud to bring Milan back to the top. It was a tough fight to the end, and you realise you are joining a very big club when you see all this passion around you and the class that reigns in this historic club. 

"Not everything was written when we arrived this year. The goal was to qualify for the

, to get back on top of the table. The goal, initially, was not to win the Scudetto. 

"Being at Milan and fully participating in this beautiful story is incredible. It was another challenge that I needed and in addition, it led to a Scudetto. I could not have dreamed of better."

In the meantime, numerous French players, notably goalie Maignan and defenders Kalulu and Theo Hernandez, as well as a number of other Frenchmen, helped Milan win the championship.

And for Giroud, contributing to the success of a team with a strong French influence has been a source of tremendous pride. 

"The Milanese dressing room has a strong French accent, so to speak, with all the French," he said. "There are also other players who speak French, like Franck Kessie, Ismael Bennacer, [Fode] Ballo-Toure. There are other French players, like [Tiemoue] Bakayoko. 

"We speak French, so it is true that there really is this slightly French team, as there was at Arsenal at the time. We are fortunate to have spent most of the season with four Frenchmen in this team and it is a pride."

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