Olivier Giroud ends LAFC stint with salute to fans, offers opinion on why it didn't work

The French star ended his MLS run after 21 matches.

(Photo credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images)

LOS ANGELES -- Subbed off in the 59th minute on Sunday night, Olivier Giroud walked off the field, clapping towards the cheering home fans at BMO Stadium, giving one last show of love and adoration to the group.

While LAFC lost the match, a 1-0 affair that saw them hold the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps without a shot in the second half, the towering French forward rose above to deliver an enduring image.

After the final whistle, Giroud would walk around the pitch, partaking in a full lap where he applauded fans before walking down the tunnel and into the distance.

“I’ve been a bit emotional because it’s always tough to leave in the middle of the season like that,” Giroud told reporters after the match. The 38-year-old agreed to a deal a few days ago to return to France and play for Lille.

“I am leaving behind me a lot of friends, a lot of great people, especially [those] working at the club,” Giroud said. “It was a pleasure to play with this squad, with these boys. Only great people in that dressing room. That’s really important for me to make friends also in the club that I play for.”

Giroud’s MLS career didn’t last long—only 21 games, in fact. In that time, the French national team’s all-time leading goalscorer found the back of the net just three times. It was more of the same tough luck on Sunday, as only one of his four shots ended up on target, and that one, which came in the game’s fifth minute, was a shot from outside the box snatched securely by Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka.

“I wish I could have made a bigger impact on the team, on the results. But, at the end, it was a good experience,” Giroud said.

“I need a new chapter. I need to challenge myself one more time, and when I had the opportunity to have the chance to come back here in France, I just grabbed it,” Giroud explained. “I wish nothing but the best for the club. I tried hard, I tried my best. Tonight I wanted to carry on, but my tendons say, ‘Stop.’ So, I need some rest now. I want to thank everybody at the club for having me and making me feel like part of the family from the first day.”

Giroud would say later in his press conference that he was dealing with an ankle injury that could possibly take a couple of weeks before he’s back out on the field. Lille’s Ligue 1 season begins on Aug. 17.