Giroud: I have to prove myself and make history
Olivier Giroud might not be the most popular leader of the France attack but he is determined to battle for Euro 2016 glory.
France striker Olivier Giroud is primed to prove the doubters wrong and lead the hosts' Euro 2016 victory bid.
Arsenal man Giroud is expected to be named at the head of Didier Deschamps' attack for Friday's tournament opener against Romania at the Stade de France, although he has not always found favour with Les Bleus' faithful.
He was jeered despite scoring in a patchy 3-2 warm-up friendly win over Cameroon and the 29-year-old notched a brace as France concluded their preparations for the tournament by swatting aside Scotland 3-0.
It means Giroud has seven goals in as many international appearances and he enters Euro 2016 in defiant mood.
He told beIN Sport: "My brother had a saying which is very important for me: 'The construction of the road to success is never quite finished.'
"[This is] even more true in football, where after every weekend people can diss you or congratulate you.
"I have to prove myself, to show my desire to score goals and to win titles and leave a mark in history.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"That's what I want, to make my family and the people close to me proud."
The pressure of home advantage could weigh heavily on France, who were triumphant as hosts at the 1984 European Championship and 1998 World Cup, but Giroud only views their status as a positive.
"We represent the French people and when you play at home, it's logical to aspire to leave your mark," he added.
"There are huge expectations, but we're ready."
‘Maybe I’ll be signed by Wrexham, who knows? English football would suit me – if an offer came, I wouldn’t think twice, I’d go immediately’ Euro 2024 cult hero reveals his UK dream
‘Managing Leeds? It was an option that appeared, but it wasn’t the right timing. I decided it wasn’t a good idea to leave the club I was at mid-season’: Premier League boss admits to turning down opportunity to replace Jesse Marsch in 2023