Hugo Lloris, the captain of France, has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 36, three weeks after his nation was defeated by Argentina in the World Cup final in Doha.
In an interview with French sports daily L’Equipe that was published on Monday, Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris stated, “I have decided to stop my international career, with the feeling that I have given everything.”
“I think it’s important to make this announcement now, two and a half months before Euro qualifying begins.”
Lloris, who made his debut for France at age 21 in a friendly match against Uruguay in November 2008, retires after earning the most caps for France during the World Cup.
He finished the game with his 145th cap, breaking Lilian Thuram’s previous record of 142 appearances. France lost the match 4-2 on penalties following a thrilling 3-3 tie in extra time.
Lloris said, “I have been seriously considering it since the World Cup ended, but there has been something deep inside of me for perhaps six months now and which grew during the competition, leading me to make this decision.
Lloris, a former goalie for Nice and Lyon, led France to victory at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
He participated in seven major competitions in total, including Euro 2016, where France was defeated by Portugal in the championship match.
At the World Cup, France’s backup goalkeepers were West Ham United’s Alphonse Areola and veteran goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, 37, of Rennes.
Lloris will be replaced as France’s starting goalkeeper, however, by Mike Maignan, a 27-year-old AC Milan goalie who was injured and missed the World Cup.
“There comes a time when you must make way for others. I’ve always maintained that no one individual owns the French national team, Lloris said.
“There is an available goalkeeper (Maignan), and I need a little bit more time for myself, my family, and my kids.
It’s a big deal to have been the France goalkeeper for 14 and a half seasons, but it’s also mentally taxing. I hope taking some time off will allow me to continue competing at the highest level for a few more years.
“I prefer to go out on top, having assisted France in reaching a World Cup final,” he continued.
Lloris made this decision after Didier Deschamps, the team’s coach since 2012, agreed to a new contract that would keep him in the position through the North American World Cup in 2026.
The qualifying run for Euro 2024 in Germany is France’s next task, and it starts at the end of March with a pair of matches against the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland.
In Group B, it will compete against Greece and Gibraltar as well. The top two teams will advance to the finals, which will be held from June 14 to July 14 of the following year.
