Giroud to replace injured Benzema in France squad

AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud has been recalled by the France national team to replace injured Kareem Benzema.

Giroud will be part of the squad for the friendlies against Ivory Coast and South Africa later this month.

The last game the 35-year-old former Arsenal and Chelsea forward played for France was in the round-of-16 loss to Switzerland on penalties at Euro 2020.

Giroud has scored 11 times in 28 appearances since joining Milan last July. He has eight goals for the Serie A leaders, including winners against title rivals Inter and Napoli.

He is France’s second all-time leading scorer with 46 goals in 110 caps and five goals shy of the record held by Thierry Henry.

Benzema has been ruled out of the games in Marseille and Lille on March 25 and 29 because of a calf injury and will also miss the Real Madrid’s El Classico against Barcelona.