Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris retires from the French national football team. The captain announced his resignation in an interview with “L’Équipe”.
Record player Hugo Lloris has announced his retirement from the French national football team. That’s what the 36-year-old goalkeeper and captain said in an interview with “L’Équipe”. Lloris had overtaken former world champion Lilian Thuram in the World Cup quarter-finals against England with his 143rd international match. Overall, he wore the jersey of the Équipe Tricolore 145 times. Lloris still has a contract with his English club Tottenham Hotspur until 2024.
“It’s not easy to announce that. But after 14 years of defending this shirt, which I’ve worn with great joy, pride, duty and responsibility, I think I’ve come to the end.”said Lloris and added: “I prefer to step down at the top after helping France to a World Cup final.”
Lloris follows Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, who announced his retirement in December the day after the World Cup final. The expiring contract of national coach Didier Deschamps was only extended on Saturday until the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Deschamps praised Lloris to the skies. “A great servant of the French team is leaving us and I want to pay tribute to his extraordinary career”he said: “Aside from all the records he’s been able to set thanks to his talent and professionalism, aside from the integral role he’s played in our greatest victories, Hugo is a remarkable person on a human level.”
World Champion, Vice World Champion and Vice European Champion
Lloris made his debut in the 2008 Equipe Tricolore jersey. In 2018 he won the World Cup with France, at the home European Championship in 2016 he missed the triumph in the final against Portugal. In the 2022 World Cup final, he lost to Argentina on penalties with France.
With 20 appearances, Lloris is the record goalkeeper for the World Cup. “I think the team behind it is ready to continue”Lloris said, notably naming his designated successor, Mike Maignan. “I feel like I gave it my all, that I still did my part in the adventure. But I don’t want to wait for the moment when I start doing a little less”says Lloris.