How ‘vintage’ Olivier Giroud almost eclipsed Cristiano Ronaldo feat with late Europa League winner – ‘Wonderful, typical!’

At the age of 38 years and 360 days old, Olivier Giroud produced another outstanding moment in his exceptional career.

The French veteran has had exceptional moments, winning the Puskas award back in 2017 when he scored a brilliant and inventive scorpion kick for Arsenal.

Since then, he moved to Chelsea for four seasons in January 2018, before playing for AC Milan for three campaigns. The former Toulouse man then departed Stateside to play for MLS outfit Los Angeles FC, before returning this summer to turn out for Ligue 1’s Lille.

On Thursday, against SK Brann, he made his 758th appearance in club football and registered his 292nd goal (349th if you include his 57 for the French national team from 137 caps).

As “What were you doing when you were 38 years old?

“Olivier Giroud continued to do what he’s always done in his career: Score goals. Again, and again, and again.”

According to French broadcaster Canal+, Giroud’s leap measured 250cm, just six centimetres shy of the 256cm leap from Cristiano Ronaldo, as the Portuguese conjured up an incredible leap to thunder in a header for Juventus against Sampdoria back in December 2019.

On TNT Sports, commentator Ben Andrews was struck by just how long Giroud has been scoring brilliant headers, saying: “Oh, wonderful Giroud! Typical Giroud! Vintage Giroud! 15 years he’s been one of the best in the business at heading a football.

“It was hung up there, and he made it his. 39 next week, still scoring good goals, still scoring big goals. Olivier Giroud!”

Giroud now has three goals in five appearances with his current side, and shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.