Hugo Lloris, the captain of France, believes it is “time to move aside” after declaring his retirement from international play at the age of 36, three weeks after France’s loss to Argentina in the World Cup final in Doha.
In an interview with French sports newspaper L’Equipe that was published on Monday, the Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper stated, “I have decided to finish my international career, with the feeling that I have given all.”
“I believe that making this announcement now, two and a half months before the start of Euro qualifying,”
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 continued, “I have been seriously considering it since the World Cup ended, but there has been something deep inside of me for maybe six months now and which grew during the campaign, pushing me to make this decision.
At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, France was led to victory by the former Nice and Lyon goalkeeper.
He participated in seven major competitions in all, including Euro 2016, where France was defeated by Portugal in the championship game.
At the World Cup, France’s backup goalkeepers were West Ham United’s Alphonse Areola and veteran goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, 37, of Rennes.
However, Mike Maignan of AC Milan, who is 27 years old and missed the World Cup due to injury, is expected to start in Lloris’ place for France.
“There comes a moment when you must make way for others. I’ve always maintained that no one individual owns the French national team, Lloris stated.
“There is an available goalie (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 1412 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.
Lloris made this decision after Didier Deschamps, the team’s coach since 2012, agreed to a new contract that would keep him in the job through the North American World Cup in 2026.
Deschamps remarked, “A great servant of the France squad is retiring, and I want to pay tribute to his amazing career.”
“Hugho is a magnificent person on a human level, beyond all the records that his talent and professionalism enabled him to shatter, beyond the crucial part that he played in our biggest successes.”
After a pair of matches against the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland at the end of March, France’s next task is the qualifying run for Euro 2024 in Germany.
