How France hero Olivier Giroud, 36, defies his years with a strict diet and tough fitness plan to keep scoring

FRANCE forward Olivier Giroud continues to defy his years.

The former Arsenal and Chelsea star was the match-winner against England – beating Harry Maguire to Antoine Griezmann’s header 12 minutes from time to set-up a semi-final date with Morocco.

Just like the age-less Cristiano Ronaldo, the 2018 World Cup winner has given longevity to his career with a strict diet plan and tough fitness routine.

And he eats plenty of fruit, vegetables, chicken and fish to maintain his incredible physique, while working overtime in the gym.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT

Crucial to Giroud’s health and fitness plan is what he puts into his body.

The 6ft4in striker avoids processed foods, sugar and unhealthy oils – corn, canola, vegetable, and other chemically engineered cocktails.

He chows down on a variety of breakfasts, including bagels with strawberry jam, egg white and ham omelettes, or brown toast with scrambled eggs.

For lunch his options feature green Salad with mixed beans, salmon and rice, baked potato with tuna, or even a tuna pasta.

At dinner, he will have fish (sometimes haddock or tuna steak) with a broccoli, or chicken with green vegetables.

Occasionally, he will go for a lean steak – with a mixed salad or steamed vegetables.

And because Giroud is so incredible active, he will snack regularly during the day.

Things he eats are dried fruit and nuts, muesli bars, popcorn and banana sandwiches.

WORKING IT OFF

Of course, this high-energy diet gives Giroud plenty to burn off when he works out.

And when he’s not training with current club AC Milan at the Milanello Sports Centre, he is fully utilising his time off to stay fit with an action-packed routine.

He reportedly allows himself just one day off – a Wednesday.

Weekends, if he’s not playing, he will do cardio exercises and again rest.

On Mondays, he’s bench pressing, lifting dumbbells and working his abs using a plate twist.

Tuesdays, he incorporates mountain climbers into his exercise, as well as squats and reverse grip push-ups.

Thursday, Giroud will continue with weight exercises, including a series of routines with dumbbells, close-grip EZ-Bar curls and three sets of pull-ups of five reps.

And for Friday, it’s burpees, a variety of squats, and plyometric lunges. The latter helps develop and improve lower body strength and power, as well as challenge dynamic stability and coordination.

HIGH PRAISE

Last year, Giroud showed astonishing athleticism with a stunning overhead kick against Atletico Madrid while playing for Chelsea.

He became the oldest player to score in the knockout stages of the Champions League for the Blues at 34 years and 146 days.

But that didn’t surprise his former manager Thomas Tuchel, who was in awe of his striker’s approach to keeping himself in shape.

“If you see him on a daily basis, you cannot be surprised. He is totally fit, his body is in shape and his physicality is on top level,”; Tuchel said in an interview back in 2021.

“He trains like a 20-year-old, like a 24-year-old. He is a guy who has a good mixture of serious and joy in training. He is always positive and it is a big factor for the group.”;

With four goals in Qatar, Giroud has proven he is still one of the world’s leading forwards. Against Poland he broke France’s all-time scoring record held by Thierry Henry, and his goal against England was his 53rd for his country.

You wouldn’t put it past him to add to that total against Morocco on Wednesday.