Hugo Lloris has announced his retirement from international football. The Tottenham captain's decision to do so comes less than a month after France lost the World Cup final to Argentina in an six-goal thriller.
The 36-year-old featured 145 times for Les Bleus over a 14-year international career, lifting the World Cup in 2018 and winning the UEFA Nations League in 2021. In an interview with French outlet L'Equipe announcing his retirement, Lloris outlined the importance of passing on the torch while naming his successor between the sticks.
"I have decided to stop my international career, with the feeling that I have given everything," the Spurs shot-stopper said. "I think it is important to announce this now, two and a half months before the start of Euro qualifying.
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"There comes a time when you have to know how to pass the hand. I don't want to make it my own, I've always said and repeated that the France team doesn't belong to anyone, and we all have to make sure that's the case, me first.
"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," Lloris added. "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 [Mike 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."
Lloris sees his contract at Tottenham expire in 18 months and, as it stands, he's yet to pen an extension. With Spurs now the Frenchman's primary focus, Antonio Conte will be hoping that he and Lloris can lift silverware this season.
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