How Giroud and Morocco Coach Walid Regragui Were Teammates in France

• France forward Olivier Giroud is set to face his former teammate Walid Regragui
• Giroud played alongside the current Morocco coach at the beginning of his career
• Regragui became the first coach to lead an African team to the World Cup semis

The game between Morocco and France, in the semi-finals of the World Cup, will see two former teammates become rivals in different roles.

Olivier Giroud, France's all-time top scorer, will come up against Morocco coach Walid Regragui for the first time since they played together for Grenoble.

Regragui was at the tail end of his career when a young Giroud arrived at the French club, to begin a football journey that will see him become a legend in his own rights.

The duo are having the best international competition of their careers, with Regragui becoming the first coach from Africa to lead his side to the semi-finals of the World Cup, and Giroud's goal against England seeing him surpass Thierry Henry as Les Bleus' all-time top scorer.

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India Express reported on an old photo going viral, showing Giroud and Regragui playing together for French club Grenoble. In 2008, the France forward shared the pitch with the Moroccan manager in a friendly against Strasbourg.

The former Arsenal striker spent four months at Grenoble before earning a €150,000 move to Tours. Regragui spent the entire season with the club in Ligue 1, before returning home to join Moghreb Tetoaun in the Moroccan league.

On Wednesday, the duo will have another memory to share together - with one set to reach the final of the World Cup. Giroud is a Mundial winner with France and currently has four goals at the tournament in Qatar.

The Moroccan boss has also hailed the French star for his resilient nature, the Business Standard reported.

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Moroccan artist carves Regragui's portrait

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that popular Moroccan artist Ismail Hjila has celebrated Regragui, honouring the Atlas Lions' coach by carving his image into a wall.

The former Morocco defender became the first coach in history to lead an African team to the semi-final of the World Cup.

Regragui's team eliminated favourites Belgium at the group stage, before beating Spain and Portugal en route to the last four.

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Sports Brief also reported on Giroud becoming France’s all-time top scorer in international history with 52 goals, surpassing legendary Thierry Henry's 51.

The 36-year-old opened the scoring for Les Bleus, as they edged out Poland 3-1 in the knockout phase of the 2022 World Cup.

In the process, the former Chelsea attacker surpassed Henry to etch his name into the football history books of his country.