French soccer star and World Cup winner Olivier Giroud has become the latest athlete victimized by burglars, with approximately $500,000 worth of valuables reported stolen from his Los Angeles home earlier this month. The incident adds to a troubling trend of high-profile sports figures being targeted by thieves.
Burglars Strike Giroud’s LA Residence
Los Angeles police responded to Giroud’s west LA home on February 5th after receiving a report of a smashed window. The 38-year-old striker, who plays for MLS club LAFC, was not present at the time of the break-in. Giroud’s wife later discovered that several high-value items were missing and contacted authorities.
Among the stolen goods were 10 luxury watches, contributing to an estimated total loss of $500,000. The burglars remain at large as the investigation continues. Giroud has not publicly commented on the incident.
Athletes Increasingly Targeted by Thieves
Unfortunately, Giroud’s experience is not an isolated one. In recent months, several other prominent American athletes have fallen victim to similar crimes:
- NFL quarterback Joe Burrow
- Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes
- Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce
- NBA power forward Bobby Portis
The targeting of athletes’ homes has become so prevalent that federal prosecutors are now involved. Just this week, authorities charged seven Chilean men in connection with the burglaries of Mahomes and Kelce, even catching three of them bragging in a photo following the theft of Portis’s belongings.
Celebrated Career Continues in LA
Giroud, who joined LAFC in 2022, is one of soccer’s most accomplished strikers. Highlights of his illustrious career include:
- Winning the 2018 World Cup with France
- Becoming France’s all-time leading scorer with 57 goals
- Netting 285 goals across 716 professional matches
- Claiming the 2021 Champions League title with Chelsea
The veteran goalscorer now looks to add an MLS Cup to his overflowing trophy case as LAFC begins its 2025 campaign this Saturday against Minnesota United. While the burglary was certainly an unwelcome distraction, Giroud’s focus will undoubtedly be on the pitch as he aims to bring yet more hardware to the City of Angels.
