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At 36 years old, Hugo Lloris, the goalkeeper and captain of the France national team, record holder with 145 international games announced on Monday, January 9, to end his international career marked in particular by a 2018 FIFA World Cup title and two finals played (UEFA Euro 2016, 2022 FIFA World Cup).
Hugo Lloris’ final game was the 2022 FIFA World Cup final loss on penalties against Argentina in Doha (3-3, 2-4 on aggregate).
Lloris earned his first cap on November 19, 2008. During a friendly match against Uruguay (0-0), then coach Raymond Domenech gave him his first cap at the Stade de France in order to prepare for the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in the following spring. On June 11, 2010, in Cape Town, South Africa, he returned to again face Uruguay for his first match in the finals of an international competition (0-0). The beginning of a long series punctuated by a world championship title won in Russia 2018 under Didier Deschamps and two finals played, that of Euro 2016 at home adding to the last played in Doha.
At 36, the French goalkeeper leaves with several records to his name including that of the most capped player with 145 international selections surpassing former right-back Lilian Thuram (142) during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
A FIFA World Cup that was the fourth of his career after the 2010, 2014 and 2018 editions. He also holds the record for the number of matches played in the event (20), ahead of his teammate Antoine Griezmann (19). Lloris, who was given the armband in November 2010 at 23 years 10 months and 22 days, has worn it 121 times, the longest in this essential role as captain, relay between the coach and the group. In the standings, he is ahead of his own coach Didier Deschamps, captain 54 times when he was a player.
Passionate about tennis and football, Lloris started at CEDAC CIMIEZ (1993-1998), was trained at OGC Nice (1997-2008) before wearing the colours of Olympique Lyonnais (2008-2012) and joining Tottenham Hotspurs where the Spurs captain spent more than a decade.
During his career in the French jersey, he also had youth selections and was crowned U-19 European champion in 2005 with Yohan Cabaye, Abou Diaby and Yoann Gourcuff (3-1 against England).
France head coach Didier Deschamps said, “Hugo has decided to retire while he is still at the top of his game. He shared his thoughts and his decision with me a few days ago. I must, we must, respect him even if he still had his place in our team, as he showed at the last FIFA World Cup in Doha.”
“A very great servant of the France Team is bowing out and I want to salute his exceptional career! Beyond all the records that his talent and professionalism have allowed him to beat, beyond the essential role that has been his in our most beautiful conquests, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the 2021 UEFA Nations League, in our most beautiful courses, the final of UEFA Euro 2016 and that of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.”
“Hugo is a remarkable person on a human level. He was captain when I became coach in 2012, he retained the armband and I never had to regret it, quite the contrary. Hugo has a very high idea of the France Team, he has always been turned towards the collective, he has always put it forward, sometimes even to his detriment. It was a joy and an honour for me to be his coach. I wish all coaches to have players like him to lead. Hugo has all my respect and gratitude. I wish him happiness. A big thank you Hugo for representing your country so well.”
