France’s Goalkeeper and captain, Hugo Lloris, has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 36 on Monday.
Hugo Lloris is the goalkeeper of Tottenham and has made 145 appearances for France and also captained the French team to win the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
In an interview with the French newspaper L’Equipe, “There comes a time when you have to know how to hand over the reigns.” he said.
“I have always said over and over again that the French team does’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]” he added.
Hugo Lloris made his international debut back in 2008 and has captained the team in a record of 121 times.
He added in the interview that: “I prefer to go out at my peak than wait for a downturn.” There is also a family choice, I feel the need to spend more time with my wife and children.”
The goalkeepers final game with the French team was at the 2022 World Cup hosted in Qatar .
“Hugo is still at his best and I have, we have, to respect his decision even if he still had his place in our team as we saw at the World Cup,” the France coach Didier Deschamps said.
“It’s a great servant of the France national team retiring and I want to praise his incredible international career. Beyond all the records he beat, beyond the essential role he had in all our success, he is a remarkable person on the human side.
“It was a joy and an honour to be his coach. I wish every manager to have a player like him in their squad. I wish all the happiness. A huge thank you Hugo for having represented your country so well,” the French coach added.
