It’s hard to say which story is more incredible. Giroud has become one of the best and most consistent strikers on the planet in recent years, despite considerable criticism regarding his efficient but unattractive style of play, passing through the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea or AC Milan. He also became the French national team’s all-time top scorer, scoring 53 goals in 118 starts so far, surpassing all of his legendary countrymen, including Thierry Henry, who was the French national team’s top scorer even before the World Cup in Qatar.
Not long after his time in Grenoble, Rajrajjui ended his active playing career and turned to coaching. After two stints in Morocco, interspersed with a brief stint in the top flight of Qatar, he took charge of his homeland’s national team, leading them to the semi-finals of this year’s World Cup as the first African team in history. The 47-year-old strategist is making full use of his experience as a former defender. The wards conceded to him only once in five league matches and deservedly achieved a milestone that will go down in golden letters in the history of the country’s football. After all, up until this year’s tournament in Qatar, Morocco had only won two matches at the World Cup.
Giroud and Rajradžuí never played a competitive game as teammates, as Giroud made a permanent move to Tours after a one-year loan spell at Istres. However, they completed some training together in the summer of 2008 before the transfer of the now 36-year-old striker. In the Grenoble shirt, for example, he kicked off a side-by-side preparation match against Strasbourg.
Morocco manager Walid Regragui and Olivier Giroud had an amazing 2 months together as players at Grenoble and shared the pitch for 45 minutes during a pre-season friendly against Strasbourg in the summer of 2008. (📷 Le Dauphiné liberé) pic.twitter.com/WOGOYt3Yb2
— Receive French football news (@GFFN) December 10, 2022
In Wednesday’s semi-final, however, the former colleagues certainly won’t give each other anything. If they win, the French can come close to defending their World Cup title, something Brazil last did in 1962. “This team deserves to go as far as the previous league team in Russia,” Giroud bellowed after have overtaken England.
Morocco’s journey through the tournament will surely remain unforgettable, even if Rajrajjui and his men do not reach the final, their eventual gold medal win would very likely be the biggest shock in the history of all world championships. “Title? We dream of it, it doesn’t cost us anything. I emphasize only to the players who leave everything on the pitch and believe in themselves,” exulted the Moroccan bench boss after the surprising elimination of the Portuguese, who were among the favorites for the overall championship.
