Olivier Giroud has gained the Puskas Award earlier than – and he’ll be up for rivalry in 2025 if there’s any justice on the earth after this scorching free-kick within the MLS.
Giroud gained the award again in 2017 for his outrageous scorpion-kick for Arsenal in opposition to Crystal Palace, a end that made your dad let loose the form of noise he beforehand reserved to your conception.
And the previous Gunners and Chelsea striker lastly secured his first objective for LAFC within the MLS since his much-anticipated switch final summer time.
Giroud has struggled to regulate to the league and to move coach Steve Cherundolo’s system, usually wanting the ball to ft as an alternative of getting to run and danger leaving a hair misplaced.
However he wound again the years in opposition to Portland Timbers with a free-kick no person realised Giroud had in his locker.
Together with his LAFC aspect trailing 2–0, the 38-year-old stepped as much as the set-piece simply exterior the field and seemed surprisingly decided, like a long-suffering worker steeling himself earlier than handing in his resignation.
Giroud proceeded to hammer his shot with the warmth of a thousand suns off the crossbar and into the again of the web, rendering goalkeeper James Pantemis’ presence tutorial.
Any true soccer fan is a sucker for a objective that thuds the crossbar on its remorseless journey goalward and it’s no shock {that a} good-looking b*stard like Giroud would indulge on this aesthetic pleasure.
Olivier Giroud’s first MLS objective is a great thing about a free kick. 😍 pic.twitter.com/Dl6X6hvhCO
— Main League Soccer (@MLS) April 20, 2025
The objective sparked a comeback for LAFC, who finally drew the match at 3–3 via a Denis Bouanga penalty within the ninetieth minute, claiming a degree in a match they’d in any other case dominated.
Earlier than his objective, Giroud had failed to attain in 16 MLS appearances, usually struggling to maintain up with LAFC’s counter-attacking methods, after a European profession that noticed him play the function of goal man to perfection.
The objective wasn’t his first for the membership, although, with the 38-year-old discovering the again of the web within the US Open Cup motion in opposition to Sporting Kansas Metropolis in 2024.
Giroud has beforehand spoken about his ambitions to finish his profession in America, backing himself to thrive within the MLS after his success in Europe.
“Properly, it was a bit loopy, if I can say,” the 2018 World Cup winner mentioned at his unveiling in August 2024.
“As a result of my dream was someday to play in MLS if attainable, to be sincere with you – and my mates and my household know that – in Los Angeles.
“In 2020, again within the days, I used to be near signal for Inter Milan; [instead] I signed for AC Milan one 12 months after.
“Earlier than that, I met somebody from LA Galaxy; I instructed them it’s not the suitable time for me to depart Europe.
“And yeah, I had this in my thoughts – to hitch LAFC for me is future, and that’s the place God wished me to be, to be there with you guys.”
It’s a thrill to see Giroud, who was admired by many impartial followers throughout his time within the Premier League, proving that class stays everlasting along with his beautiful first MLS objective.
Now, someone go and get him on the shortlist for the Puskas.
By Michael Lee
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