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Olivier Giroud: The most underrated footballer in the world?

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Olivier Giroud is one of the most underappreciated, if not the most, currently active footballers.

The Frenchman has won the World Cup for the country and had the honour to lift the ultimate prize of European club football, the Champions League.

At the same time, many top footballers finished their careers without the opportunity to lay their hands on any of those titles.

Despite having a rich trophy cabinet, Giroud barely gets the recognition he deserves.

Stats don’t tell the story

His involvement in France’s 2018 World Cup-winning campaign, where he started every match, led to a myriad of memes online mocking Giroud’s ‘’poor’’ stats in the tournament.

Giroud did not score any goals in the competition and had only one assist under his belt.

On paper, this looks pretty below par indeed. But, Giroud still managed to significantly impact the team, which can’t be quantified using stats.

His excellent hold-up play, physicality and work rate made it easier for his attacking partners Kylian MBappe and Antoine Griezmann to wreak havoc on opposition defences.

Giroud did the dirty work, drew away the defenders, and created vacuums upfront, which other attackers could take advantage of. He served as the perfect attacking outlet for France.

For this reason, Olivier Giroud has been a staple at Les Blues setup.

Stellar national record

He has represented his country 111 times, meaning he has played more matches for France than Patrick Vieira, Zinedine Zidane, and his current national team coach Didier Deschamps.

Giroud is not known as a prolific goalscorer, but he only has Thierry Henry in front of him in the all-time goalscorer’s leaderboard for France.

The Arsenal legend bagged 51 goals in 123 outings for France.

Giroud currently has 47 goals in 111 caps, meaning Giroud will break Thierry’s record playing fewer matches than him if he scores four more goals in his next 11 games for France.

Arsenal fans might not have good memories of Olivier Giroud as many Gooners single Giroud out as the reason Arsenal did not win the league in 2015/16.

But, the truth is, Arsenal’s poor run of form towards the end of that campaign was affected by a handful of other factors besides Giroud’s underperformance.

Santi Cazorla’s injury and Arsenal’s defensive struggles were pivotal in finishing Arsenal’s title ambitions. But, Giroud was the lightning rod for criticism.

Off to Chelsea

Arsenal sold Giroud to Chelsea in 2018 for €17 million.

Before jumping ship, Giroud scored 105 goals and made 41 assists in 253 appearances for the North London club.

At Chelsea, Giroud’s role mainly was limited as a substitute.

But, the France international’s fantastic professionalism and penchant for scoring crucial goals made him a fan favourite at Stamford Bridge. He scored 39 goals and made 14 assists in 119 appearances for Chelsea.

With the 2022 World Cup fast approaching and Karim Benzema’s return to the French national team, Olivier Giroud felt the urge to clock more minutes and his pursuit of regular football brought him to the San Siro in 2021.

Sizzling at San Siro

The 35-year-old has forged a formidable striking partnership with Zlatan Ibrahimovich at AC Milan.

As of writing, Giroud has played 29 matches for the Rossoneri and scored 11 goals, including a crucial brace against reigning Serie A champions and arch-rivals Inter Milan in the Derby Della Madonnina.

Even though his contributions often fly under the radar, Olivier Giroud has been a part of the teams he has represented in recent times.

He has been nothing short of excellent for Milan and merits a seat on France’s national team’s Qatar-bound flight later this year.

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Karan Aujla’s ‘It Was All A Dream’ Tour Lights Up Mumbai

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Karan Aujla ‘It Was All A Dream’ Tour Lights Up Mumbai

Karan Aujla ‘It Was All A Dream’ Tour hit a high note on December 21 at the MMRDA Grounds in Mumbai. Over 18,000 fans gathered to witness the Punjabi music icon deliver an unforgettable performance.

From the start, Aujla captivated the audience with his hit tracks like ‘Softly’, ‘52 Bars’, ‘Winning Speech’, and ‘Take It Easy’. The crowd sang along, creating an electric atmosphere. His set also included iconic songs like ‘Gulabi Aankhen’, ‘Oh Oh Jaane Jana’, and ‘Kala Chasma’.

The excitement peaked when Bollywood star Vicky Kaushal made a surprise appearance on stage. Together, they performed the superhit ‘Tauba Tauba’, sending the crowd into a frenzy. This moment highlighted the unity of Punjabi music and Bollywood, bringing a special connection between the two.

A heartwarming moment followed when Aujla got emotional. Kaushal praised him, referencing his parents watching from above, beaming with pride. Kaushal said, “You aren’t Geeta Di Machine, you’re Geeta Di Industry. You’ve truly earned your place as a star, and we’re all proud of you.”

In addition, the Norwegian dance group Quick Style brought visual flair to the concert. Parineeti Chopra made a brief appearance, referring to Aujla as her brother while performing ‘Phela Lalkare’ from Chamkeela.

Karan Aujla expressed gratitude, stating, “Mumbai, you were crazy! It was an incredible milestone for the ‘It Was All A Dream’ tour. The fan love and support inspire me to keep going.”

Siddhesh Kudtarkar, co-founder of Team Innovation, added, “The success of this tour is reshaping the Indian music scene, and it’s only getting bigger.”

The 8-city ‘It Was All A Dream’ India Tour marks Karan Aujla’s rise from a small-town artist to an international sensation. The tour reflects his journey, breaking records globally in Canada, the UK, and New Zealand.

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Robin Uthappa Arrest Warrant Issued Over Legal Dispute

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An arrest warrant has been issued against former cricketer Robin Uthappa in a financial dispute.

An arrest warrant has been issued against former cricketer Robin Uthappa in connection with a legal matter. The warrant was issued after Uthappa failed to appear in court for a financial dispute.

The legal issue involves a business deal where Uthappa is accused of financial misconduct. Despite multiple court summons, the cricketer failed to appear, leading to the warrant.

Robin Uthappa, known for his explosive batting in international cricket, has previously been a respected figure in the sport. He represented India in the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, contributing significantly to their victory.

Sources claim that the legal dispute revolves around a business transaction gone wrong, with Uthappa allegedly involved in financial wrongdoing. The case has raised concerns, as the cricketer’s failure to attend court led to a strong response.

Legal experts believe the Robin Uthappa arrest warrant may have serious consequences if ignored. Further actions may be taken if Uthappa does not respond to the summons promptly.

Fans and cricket fans alike are shocked by the news, as Uthappa has always been admired for his cricketing achievements. His legal team has yet to comment on the arrest warrant.

The case has attracted significant media attention, with many waiting for updates. Uthappa’s involvement in this matter has left his supporters eager for clarification.

The situation surrounding the Robin Uthappa arrest warrant remains fluid, and legal experts predict more developments in the coming days.

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Tragic Road Accidents in Mumbai Spark Concerns Over Safety

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Mumbai road accidents

A four-year-old boy tragically lost his life in Mumbai after being hit by a speeding car driven by a 19-year-old. The accident occurred in the Wadala area while the child was playing on the road, police reported.

This heartbreaking incident follows another fatal road accident earlier this month in Mumbai. On December 9, a driver of a civic-operated electric bus lost control in Kurla, causing a catastrophic crash. The accident resulted in seven deaths, 42 injuries, and damage to over 20 vehicles.

The electric bus incident, captured on CCTV, has heightened public concern about road safety in Mumbai. Police arrested the driver, Sanjay More, and charged him with culpable homicide not amounting to murder.

Concerns Over Road Safety in Maharashtra
Maharashtra is among the states with the highest number of road accidents in India, as per a report by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. From 2018 to 2022, the state recorded 66,370 road accident deaths, ranking third nationwide after Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, addressing the Parliament winter session, revealed alarming statistics about road accidents in India. Every year, road accidents claim approximately 1,78,000 lives, with 60 percent of victims aged between 18 and 34.

These incidents highlight the urgent need for stricter road safety measures in Mumbai and Maharashtra. With an increasing number of young lives lost, both authorities and citizens must work towards safer roads. Enhanced driver training, stricter penalties, and public awareness campaigns are critical to addressing this issue.

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