Draws level with Thuram
France’s captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is likely to become the world champion’s record capper in the World Cup round of 16 against Poland on Sunday. In the event of an assignment, the first-choice goalkeeper would play his 142nd international match and draw level with the sole record holder Lilian Thuram. “It’s not nothing,” said the 35-year-old on Saturday, laughing: “I feel very honored and very proud. But a day before a World Cup round of 16, that’s secondary. I’m happy about the record after what I hope will be a successful tournament.” For him to become the sole record player in Qatar, France would have to advance against Poland.
“Some records are more important than others. And this is a very important one,” said national coach Didier Deschamps: “Because it is evidence of a long and professional career. Anyone who knows Hugo knows that although this is a special game for him, the only thing that counts for him is the team.”
Born in Nice, Lloris, who has been playing for Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League since 2012, earned his first international cap against Uruguay in November 2008 alongside the likes of Thierry Henry. He is playing his fourth World Cup in Qatar and has also attended three European Championships. The crowning glory was the 2018 World Cup title, where he was the first to receive the trophy as captain.
In general, Lloris is by far the sole record captain of the Equipe Tricolore. He has been the captain for more than a decade and will lead them onto the field for the 119th time on Sunday. The runner-up in this category, his current national coach Deschamps, has not even managed half that with 54 games as captain.
With 4 Bayern pros: France’s 25-strong World Cup squad
To home page