Hugo Lloris has announced his retirement from international football after reaching 145 caps for France and being captain of the team on over a 100 occasions.
The Tottenham captain’s decision comes three weeks after France were beaten by Argentina on penalties in the 2022 World Cup final on 18 December, 2022. Lloris had captained his country to World Cup victory four years earlier when they won the 2018 tournament.
“I’ve decided to stop my international career, with the feeling that I have given everything,” said Lloris.
Speaking to French news outlet L’Equipe, he added: “There comes a time when you have to know how to pass the baton, 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 [AC Milan’s Mike Maignan],” added Lloris.
“I prefer to go out being at the top rather than to wait for a drop, or competition that is too much,”
“There is also a family choice, I feel the need to spend more time with my wife and children.”
Lloris made his international debut as a 21-year-old in a friendly against Uruguay in November 2008 and in over 14 years, made his 145th cap in the World Cup final against Argentina which made him France’s record appearance maker. He also holds another impressive record, having captained France on 121 occasions.
The Les Blues have been drawn with Gibraltar, Greece, Netherlands and Republic of Ireland in their Euro 2024 qualifying group.
