On the same day former Tottenham star Gareth Bale announced his immediate retirement from football, his former teammate Hugo Lloris put a stop on his international career. The 36-year-old goalkeeper will no longer play for France.After making his full France debut in November 2008, Lloris made 145 appearances for Les Bleus – with the last one being the thrilling defeat to Argentina in the World Cup final last month.”I have 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.”Lloris retires less than a month after becoming his country’s most-capped player, having overtaken the previous record-holder Lilian Thuram’s mark of 142 appearances. Hugo told L’Equipe that he’s taken time with the decision.”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.”##NAJAVA_MECA_6929785##Even though he lost the final in Doha, he remains one of just two Frenchmen to have captained Les Bleus to World Cup glory, with the first one being current national team coach Didier Deschamps. Former Nice and Lyon goalkeeper Lloris captained France to victory at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. He played at seven major tournaments in total, including Euro 2016, when France lost in the final to Portugal as hosts.France’s back-up goalkeepers at the World Cup were 37-year-old Rennes veteran Steve Mandanda and Alphonse Areola of West Ham United. However, the replacement for Lloris as France’s starting custodian is set to be the 27-year-old Mike Maignan of AC Milan, who missed the World Cup due to injury.”There comes a time when you need to step aside. I have always said the French national team does not belong to any one person. There is a goalkeeper who is ready – Maignan, and I need a bit more time for me, for my family and for my children. To have been the France goalkeeper for 14 and a half seasons is a big deal, but it is also mentally exhausting and I hope clearing some time for myself will allow me to keep playing at the highest level for a few more years. I prefer to go out at the top, having helped France get to a World Cup final.”World Cup winner, UEFA Nations League winner, 2x World Cup finalist, and Euro 2016 finalist 🏆Hugo Lloris has done it all for France 👏 pic.twitter.com/EREFOLV4vb— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) January 9, 2023 Lloris’ decision comes after coach Deschamps — in charge since 2012 — signed a new contract to remain in the position through to the 2026 World Cup in North America.The next assignment for France is the qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 in Germany, which begins at the end of March with a double-header against the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland. They will also play Greece and Gibraltar in Group B, with the top two teams advancing to the finals which will take place from June 14 to July 14 next year.
