France goalkeeper and 2018 World Cup winner Hugo Lloris has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 36 on Monday.
The Tottenham Hotspur captain led Les Bleus to World Cup glory in 2018 and also to the 2022 tournament final, where they were defeated by Argentina.
After making his debut against Uruguay in a friendly in 2008, Lloris has made a record 145 appearances in France colours, making him the country’s all-time capped men’s player.
Lloris, who took over as captain in 2010, kept 63 clean sheets for Les Bleus and also led his country to victory in the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League campaign.
Following a fruitless bid to lead France to back-to-back World Cup crowns, Lloris has now pulled the plug on his international career, telling L’Equipe: “There comes a time when you have to know how to pass the hand.
“I don’t want to make it my own, I’ve always said and repeated that the France team doesn’t belong to anyone, and we all have to make sure that’s the case, me first.”
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Lloris has held off the likes of Mike Maignan, Steve Mandanda, and Alphonse Areola to remain Didier Deschamps’ number one, but he now believes the latter is ready to take on the responsibility of starting for his nation.
“I think that behind, the team is ready to continue, there is also a goalkeeper who is ready,” Lloris added. “I prefer to go out being at the top than to wait for a drop in speed, or too much competition. There is also a family choice, I feel the need to spend more time with my wife and my children.”
In addition to winning the 2018 World Cup and the 2020-21 Nations League, Lloris led France to the Euro 2016 final, where Portugal defeated Deschamps’ team 1-0.
Raphael Varane and Kylian Mbappe are reportedly the frontrunners to succeed Lloris as France prepares to face the Netherlands, Republic of Ireland, Greece, and Gibraltar in Euro 2024 qualifying Group B.
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