World Cup winner Olivier Giroud addressed the media on Thursday for his first official appearance as a Los Angeles FC player.
Here’s everything the Frenchman had to say about the move to MLS, the state of the league, influential teammates and more.
At LAFC
“I’m very happy to be here in Los Angeles… very excited to know that we’ll probably be spending the next two and a half years in Los Angeles. A big club, a young club…
“I’m looking forward to being on the pitch with the boys, bringing my experience, my goals and my [aim] always be a competitor.”
On moving to MLS
“It was a little crazy, if I can say so, because my dream was to one day play in MLS…
“It’s a little funny, in 2020 I was close to signing for Inter Milan. Fate was that I signed for AC Milan a year later.
“Before that, I met with the LA Galaxy [but] I told them it’s not the right time to leave Europe… 1722561964 joining LAFC is destiny.
“I have seen the improvement of the championship growing. In 10 years I think [its] it reached a good level… it doesn’t mean that it was low before, but now it’s been competitive lately.
“That’s why I think it was the right time to discover a new league.
“Coming here to Los Angeles, living an American dream, a new environment, a new league, a new life…every day is a blessing here.”
On the influence of Lloris and Ibrahimović
“The most incredible thing is that I will play with my friend, with whom I played on the national team for 11 years… I am very pleased to have the opportunity to play with Hugo.
“We have the same way of thinking, we share the same values. When he told me he was very happy in Los Angeles, it was obviously significant.
“I also spoke to Zlatan Ibrahimović…. he told me that I will like a league of attackers because the teams don’t play to maintain results or defend. They play to score goals in front of passionate fans.”
When watching LAFC
“I’ve seen some highlights, we are a team that creates a lot of scoring chances, which is good for a striker. We are solid in defense, Hugo is a big advantage for the team.
“I know there’s obviously a strong team in the Eastern Conference with Miami, but I know a lot of teams are competitive. We are second in the table, but we have games in hand. The goal is to finish at the top.”
About Griezmann’s arrival in MLS
“Antoine Griezmann was a little jealous when the news came out… I told him: ‘Don’t worry, we’ll meet in a few years’.
“I don’t know where we are with the club but I sent him a message straight away when he was linked to the club. He told me ‘Let’s see’.
“I know he loves the USA, basketball, baseball and football. One day or another, he will definitely come here.”
Under pressure as an international player
“When you sign as an international player in MLS, there are obviously expectations, but I’ve had to deal with that in my career. I did it, I liked it. I will continue to do my best to help the team achieve our goal.
“The pressure is on all teams, we are not the only team signing European or international players.
“We know what we can achieve and if we can [move] in the same direction, I think we can [achieve] cool stuff.”
