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ATIQUE ANAM FROM DOHA ,

As the world heads into the final week of the Qatar 2022 with only four matches left, including an irrelevant one involving the third-place decider, the focus will be on whether Kylian Mbappe can lead the French to a consecutive World Cup title or whether Lionel Messi can end Argentina’s 36-year wait for a third world title.

Croatia’s Luka Modric, meanwhile, will be the cornerstone of his team’s hopes of erasing heartbreaking memories of the final in Russia four years ago, and the likes of Hakim Ziyech and Achraf Hakimi will also share some of the spotlight, after guiding an unfancied Morocco side to their first ever World Cup semifinal – the first for an Arab and the first for an African nation.

There are others, though, who would just chip away with valuable contributions no matter how much credit they get for those contributions.

Ever since Mbappe exploded onto the scene with four goals in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, earning the Best Young Player Award, the then 20-year-old became the heart of France’s attack. The PSG forward has continued to wreak havoc on opposition defences, already scoring five goals in the tournament so far.

However, whenever Mbappe has been found wanting, Olivier Giroud has stepped up and guided the team through. At the ripe age of 36, the AC Milan striker is shouldering as much responsibility as his younger teammate Mbappe is. Also, he is making most of the opportunity that was allowed him following the pre-tournament injury to the reigning Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema.

Giroud has already scored four goals in this tournament, making him a contender for the Golden Boot. And he has scored in crucial times – a brace against Australia after France were a goal down, opening the scoring in Round of 16 win over Poland and then pouncing with the winner just as England were stifling Mbappe and the rest of France team.

In the meanwhile, he has overtaken Thierry Henry as the greatest goal-scorer ever for France with 53 goals in 118 matches. It is a far cry from the Giroud who failed to get a shot on target in Russia 2018 and then being relegated to the bench at Euro 2020.

The dip in form coincided with his club form as he moved to Chelsea after six fruitful years at the Emirates. However, the Frenchman found life difficult at Stamford Bridge and in 2021, moved to AC Milan where he found a new lease of life.

The Frenchman had begun scoring for fun again, netting crucial goals as Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed long spells of the season through injury. His brace in a 3-0 win over Sassuolo – a 10th and 11th goal in 29 appearances– guided the Rossoneri to their first Serie A title in a decade. Giroud was a champion again and he was full of confidence, which he carried on to the start of the next season.

Only last week, France coach Didier Deschamps heaped praise on Giroud after the Milan striker equalled Henry’s record, saying: “Four years ago he didn’t score but he was still an important player. He has had difficult periods in his career. He has often been criticised but people are now seeing his quality.”

Dubbed as the most complete striker of this tournament by his predecessor David Trezeguet, Giroud is slowly but decisively marching towards erasing the memories of personal failure from Russia 2018 while making sure he remains as focal as anyone else in the team in their march towards a second consecutive title.