Giroud: Messi is the Leading Candidate for MLS MVP

Recently, French forward Olivier Giroud, currently playing in Los Angeles, was interviewed by *USA Today*, where he discussed topics including Lionel Messi, Christian Pulisic, and Antoine Griezmann.



On Messi and his chances of winning the MLS MVP  
"We all know his quality and the impact he has on his team. He not only has a great relationship with his former Barcelona teammates, but he also gets along well with other players. They have a strong team, and clearly, he's their best player and the core of their squad. I know Inter Miami has qualified for the Club World Cup, so obviously, he's the top candidate to win the MVP."

On Pulisic  
"Christian is one of the players I had the best chemistry with during my time at Chelsea and Milan. I’m happy for him, as he's been performing well since the start of the season. He's very important to the team. I miss him, but here in Los Angeles, I also have great teammates, so I can't complain."

On his friend Griezmann
"I think he's still enjoying European football at Atletico Madrid. Maybe in another year, we’ll try to convince him to come here. It would be fantastic for him, his family, and the fans. He’s a great player, an excellent teammate, and has an incredible mentality. I know he’d enjoy the sports scene and lifestyle in the U.S. Los Angeles would be the perfect choice for him."

On MLS 
"It's a different kind of soccer. Initially, I needed to understand my teammates better to build a good connection and chemistry on the field. Tactically, it’s different from what I knew in Serie A. But I can say every team fights hard to score and move forward, and I must admit I’ve been impressed by the offensive quality and ball control here. When my agent told me that LAFC was interested in me, I was thrilled. After meeting the team and receiving a warm welcome from coach Steve Cherundolo and the staff, I was 100% convinced this was the best choice."