Hugo Lloris has announced his retirement from international football after 14 long years in Les Blues colours, L’Equipe have revealed.
Lloris made his debut for France on November 19, 2008 in a friendly against Uruguay at the Stade de France and the goalkeeper has been a pillar of the side ever since.
He took over the captain’s armband just two years after entering the senior set-up and has gone on to become the most capped player in the nation’s history with 145 appearances, overtaking Lilian Thuram’s tally of 142 at the World Cup in Qatar.
Lloris captained his country to the World Cup title in 2018 and the Nations League trophy in 2020 while also picking up the runners-up medal in Euro 2016 and the most recent World Cup.
The final against Argentina will be the Tottenham captain’s final game for his country, with the 36-year-old backing Mike Maignan to take over the responsibility of the number one shirt going forward.
Lloris told L’Equipe: “There comes a time when you have to know how to pass the hand. 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 (Maignan).”
Spurs Web Opinion
Lloris will certainly go down as one of the biggest legends in French football history, given what he achieved and how long he wore the captain’s armband. Perhaps, the 36-year-old’s decision is also a recognition of the fact that he is perhaps in decline. This could quite possibly be his final season at Tottenham as well.
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