Olivier Giroud “confirms” LAFC move: how many World Cup winners currently play in MLS?

AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud has confirmed long-standing rumours that he will be moving to Major League Soccer (MLS) when his contract with the Serie A giants expires this summer. The French striker is expected join up with former international teaMMAte Hugo Lloris at LAFC, becoming the latest World Cup winner to move stateside, following Lionel Messi’s lead.

Romano, not Giroud, confirms LAFC transfer

Speaking to Milan’s official media team, the former Arsenal attacker revealed: “The next two Games will be my last for Milan. My career will continue in MLS. I’m very proud of everything I’ve done here at Milan across three seasons. It’s the right time to announce it.”

Although Giroud himself stopped short of disclosing which team he would be signing for, journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported the player would be moving to Los Angeles on a free transfer until December 2025.

Despite not making his national team debut for France until the age of 25, he has since become the country’s all-time top goalscorer (57 goals in 131 Games) ahead of legendary figures such as Thierry Henry and Michel Platini, as well as star teaMMAtes Kylian Mbappé and Antoine Griezmann.

How many World Cup winners have played in MLS?

Giroud will become the fifth World Cup winner to play in MLS in the 2024 season. In addition to LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (both won the 2018 World Cup with France) and Messi (Argentina, 2022), Inter Miami also have Spain’s Sergio Busquets, who won in 2010, on their roster.

A second member of the winning Argentina team in Qatar also plays in the US: Thiago Almada of Atlanta United.

All in all, 17 World Cup winners have represented MLS clubs at some stage in their career, with Brazilian defender Branco (New York/New Jersey MetroStars, now New York Red Bulls) the first in 1997.