France skipper Hugo Lloris has retired from international duty.
The Tottenham goalkeeper, 36, announced his decision on Monday. His retirement comes within a month of France's penalty shootout defeat to Argentina in the World Cup final.
Lloris made a record 145 senior appearances for France during his 14-year international career. He was appointed captain in February 2012 and went on to lift the World Cup in Russia in 2018 after France's 4-2 victory against Croatia in the final in Moscow.
Lloris also led his country to Nations League glory in October 2021 and was the skipper for their 1-0 Euro 2016 final defeat to Portugal in Paris. He has named AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, who missed the World Cup in Qatar due to a calf injury, as his successor.
"There comes a time when you have to know how to pass the hand," Lloris told L'Equipe. "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 think that behind, the team is ready to continue, there is also a goalkeeper who is ready [Maignan]."
Lloris added: "I prefer to go out being at the top than to wait for a drop in speed, or too much competition. There is also a family choice, I feel the need to spend more time with my wife and my children."
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News of Lloris' international retirement coincides with rumours about his Tottenham future. It's believed Antonio Conte's side are considering replacing the Frenchman with England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, 28, amid his worrying lack of form.
Lloris made a mistake during Tottenham's 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa on New Year's Day. He has made three errors leading to goals in the Premier League this season, which is the worst record of any player in the division. Graeme Souness has urged Spurs to replace him - describing him as "past his sell-by date" after the Villa debacle.
Conte was not impressed with Lloris' mistake, either. He told reporters at full-time: "I'm sure that if we don't concede the goal, we could win the game instead. The goal that we conceded killed us in confidence and in many situations, for sure."
Lloris was signed by Tottenham from Lyon in the summer of 2012. Although he has not won a major trophy with the Londoners, he has become a club legend during the last decade - playing more than 400 games and captaining them to three major finals.
Despite the transfer rumours, Lloris remains a popular member of Tottenham's dressing room and his international retirement could help him focus his energy on Spurs. "He [Lloris] is a really good guy," said back-up goalkeeper Fraser Forster ahead of Tottenham's win against Portsmouth. "He's very easy to get on with, like everyone in the changing room.
"We all know what he has achieved in the game. To be at a club like this for the amount time he has been, he's obviously doing something right. He's a World Cup winner. So, it's obviously been good to come in and train with him."
