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Cape Town - Olivier Giroud has hailed lifting the World Cup wth France as the best moment of his life despite receiving criticism for failing to score at the finals.
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The 31-year-old failed to make the starting line-up for the newly-crowned champions in their opening game against Australia but then featured from the start in all of France's remaining games including the final.
The Chelsea forward came in for heavy criticism for going the majority of the tournament without registering a single shot on target.
Giroud ended up with a single shot on target and that came in the final against Croatia.
In 546 minutes played at Russia 2018 starting with a 20 minute cameo against Australia the Frenchman failed to find the back of the net.
Despite this though Giroud said winning the World Cup was the best thing that ever happened to him.
"Honestly it's a dream come true," Giroud told journalists. "I am very proud for all the people who supported us, myself. It has been sometimes difficult but it is a privilege for me to be part of this team.
"We have been very solid, very strong all the way, until the end. And I think it’s well deserved."
He went on to describe the challenges of facing criticism throughout the tournament.
"All of my career I have been - how can I say this? - I have been through certain difficulties and I have always tried to make it motivation to get better and better.
"It is what happens in life when you are really motivated, determined, committed - it is never easy. Football is very hard and people see only the nice part of the job. But we worked very hard for this achievement and I am very proud to say I am a World Cup champion."
" I have been criticised a little bit in France as well. Because I didn’t score in the World Cup. I have received a lot of messages from people who know football well, lots of French supporters.
"They saw the work I do for the team and a lot of people wanted me to score in the final. I said, 'Yes I hope so but even if I don’t score and we are world champions it will be the best thing that has happened in my life'."
