January 09, (THEWILL) – Hugo Lloris, the captain of France’s 2018 World Cup-winning team, announced his retirement from international football at the age of 36, on Monday.
In an interview with French newspaper, L’Equipe, Lloris said, “There comes a time when you have to know how to hand over the reins. I have always said over and over again that the French team doesn’t belong to anyone, and we all have to make sure that’s the case, me first.
“I think that the team is ready to go on. There is also a goalkeeper who is ready [Mike Maignan].”
Lloris, a goalkeeper for Tottenham, made a record 145 appearances for France and served as captain for 121 of those matches. He made his international debut in 2008, won the 2021 Nations League with France, and led the team to the final of the 2016 European Championship. In his final game with the national team, France lost to Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final in a penalty shootout.
Lloris cited his desire to spend more time with his family as a reason for his retirement. France coach Didier Deschamps praised Lloris for his career and called him a “remarkable person.”
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