Hugo Lloris retires from international duty

• France number one goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 36. 
• Hugo Lloris was France’s captain as they won the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League.

France number one goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 36. 

The decision by Hugo Lloris comes three weeks after France lost to Argentina on penalties in the 2022 World Cup final.

Hugo Lloris retires from international football. Photo/ Outlook India.

The gloveman told the French publication L’Equipe that he has decided to stop his international career because he feels he has done his best. 

Hugo Lloris said that he has been thinking about retirement since the end of the World Cup. 

“I’ve decided to stop my international career, with the feeling that I have given everything. I think it is important to announce this now, two-and-a-half months before the start of Euro qualifying. I have really been thinking about it since the end of the World Cup, but there has been something deep inside of me for maybe six months now and which grew during the competition, leading me to make this decision.” Hugo Lloris told L’Equipe, as per BBC Sports. 

The 36-year-old has been France’s goalkeeper for 14-and-a-half seasons, and he feels it’s exhausting. He now wants to create some time so as to keep playing at the highest level for a few more years to come. 

Hugo Lloris made his international debut in November 2008 as a 21-year-old playing in a friendly match against Uruguay. 

Since then, he has made 145 appearances for the France national team. Lloris has captained France a record 121 times. 

The 36-year-old played in a record four World Cups – 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022. He holds the record for the most World Cup matches (20) by a Frenchman. 

Hugo Lloris was France’s captain as they won the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2020-21 UEFA Nations League.

Hugo Lloris captained France to the 2018 World Cup triumph. Photo/ Cartilage Free Captain.

He also captained The Blues as they reached the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 UEFA European Championship. 

Hugo Lloris retires as France’s all-time most-capped player. He broke Lilian Thuram’s record at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. 

Confirming Hugo Lloris retirement, the French Football Federation described him as a legend while thanking him for everything. 

France manager Didier Deschamps said that he respects Hugo Lloris’ decision to retire even though he still held his position as France’s number one goalkeeper. 

Didier Deschamps described Lloris as a great servant of the France national team and a remarkable person on human level. 

“Hugo has decided to retire while he is still at the top of his game. He shared his thoughts and decision with me a few days ago. I must, we must, respect it even if he still had his place in our team, as he demonstrated during the last World Cup, in Doha. A very great servant of the French team bows out and I want to salute his exceptional career.” Didier Deschamps said,, as per PLANETSPORT.