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Legends

Giroud makes history once more

By extending his contract with LOSC Lille for another season, Olivier Giroud will continue to play in Ligue 1 McDonald’s in 2026/27.
STAFF
Published on 06/17/2026 at 11:00
2-minute read
Olivier Giroud will play past his fortieth birthday after renewing his contract with LOSC

By extending his contract with LOSC Lille for another season, Olivier Giroud will continue to play in Ligue 1 McDonald’s in 2026/27.

Another history-making move

Heading into the 2026/27 season, nine players have previously played in Ligue 1 McDonald’s at the age of 40 or older. With the official announcement of Olivier Giroud’s contract extension with LOSC, the "Dogues" striker is set to become the tenth player in history to achieve this feat, as he will celebrate his 40th birthday on September 30.

He will follow in the footsteps of Steve Mandanda, the most recent player to demonstrate such longevity. The French goalkeeper achieved this milestone on the final matchday of the 2024/25 season with Stade Rennais, coming on in the closing moments of the match against OM at the Vélodrome.

STAT: On November 23, playing for LOSC against Paris FC, Olivier Giroud—at 39 years and 54 days old—became the oldest player to score a brace in Ligue 1 McDonald’s since at least the 1947/48 season.

The 9 players to have featured their forties in Ligue 1 McDonald’s (age at last match):
Roger Courtois, 44 years and 4 days
Vitorino Hilton, 43 years and 252 days
Dante, 43 years and 191 days
Benjamin Nivet, 41 years and 137 days
Gianluigi Buffon, 41 years and 116 days
Franz Pleyer, 40 years and 93 days
Salvador Artigas, 40 years and 90 days
Steve Mandanda, 40 years and 49 days
Florent Balmont, 40 years and 34 days
A veteran in the Champions League, too

Wearing the colors of Lille, Olivier Giroud is also set to participate in the Champions League for the 12th time—his first with a French club.

Fourteen years after his debut in the competition with the Gunners, the Frenchman is poised to become the eighth outfield player to feature in the Champions League, joining the ranks of Pepe (41 years and 15 days), Costacurta, Weir, Giggs, Mitropoulos, Ibrahimovic, and Donato.

STAT: Olivier Giroud’s 24th and most recent Champions League goal came on November 7, 2023, while playing for AC Milan against PSG (2–1) at San Siro.

Read more:

>> World Cup: Ghana, Colombia pick up crucial wins

>> When does the season start for the clubs of Ligue 1 McDonald's?

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