A monument in the history of the Blues bows out. At 36, Hugo Lloris, captain of the France team, announced this Monday at The Team his international retirement. The end of a history of more than 14 years with the selection, which began on November 19, 2008, during a friendly against Uruguay at the Stade de France (0-0).
Over the years, the goalkeeper has become a pillar of the France team, of which he took the captaincy in 2010, even seizing, during the last World Cup, the selection record held by Lilian Thuram (145 against 142) . World champion 2018, playing a key role during the epic in Russia, Lloris will therefore have played his last match in blue on December 18, during the final of the World Cup in Qatar lost against Argentina (3-3, 2-4 tabs).
“You have to know how to pass the hand”
“There comes a time when you have to know how to hand overdetails the interested party in an interview with “L’Équipe”. 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. I think that behind the team is ready to continue, there is also a goalkeeper who is ready (Mike Maignan). »
With the Blues, the Nice also has a Euro final (2016), a victory in the League of Nations (2021), and holds the captaincy record (121). He will now devote himself to his club career with Tottenham, of which he is the captain and where he has been playing since 2012, after having started as a pro at OGC Nice (2005-2008) and having passed through Olympique Lyonnais (2008 -2012).
“I prefer to go out being at the top than to wait for a drop in speed, or too much competitioncontinues Lloris. There is also a family choice, I feel the need to spend more time with my wife and my children. »