world cup winning goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 36 on Monday night, DailyMail reports.
The Spurs and France The stopper, who earned a record 145 caps and captained the team a record 122 times, is retiring after the heartbreak of losing the World Cup final to Argentina in Qatar last year as France sought to retain their 2018 title.
He said: ‘There comes a time when you have to know how to pass the reins. I have always said over and over again that the French team belongs to nobody, and we all have to make sure that it is, me first.
The official Twitter account of the French team posted a photo of a smiling Lloris with the caption: “A legend. Bravo and thanks for everything, Hugo.”
Lloris’s international career spanned from 2008 to 2022 and saw him play in four World Cups and three European Championships.
He captained them to world glory in Russia in 2018, before his team fell short four years later, losing 4-2 on penalties to Lionel Messi’s Argentina in December.
Lloris’ former teammate at Spurs Bale also announced his retirement on Mondayboth club and country duties, with immediate effect.
Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps added: “He told me about his decision a few days ago. I must, we are disappointed, respect his decision even if he still had his place in our team, as he showed at the last World Cup in Doha. A great server from the French team is retiring and I want to salute his exceptional career.
“Beyond all the records that his talent and professionalism have allowed him to break, beyond the essential role he has played in our most beautiful conquests, Hugo is a remarkable person on a human level.
Captain when I became a coach in 2012, I kept the bracelet for him and I never regretted it, quite the opposite.
“Hugo has a very high idea of the French team, he has always been oriented towards the collective and has always put the collective ahead, sometimes even to its detriment.
“It was a pleasure and an honor for me to be his coach. I wish all coaches had players like him to lead. Hugo has all my respect and gratitude. I want him to be happy. Thank you very much, Hugo, for having represented your country so well”.
