Hugo Lloris

Havana, January 10 (PL).-The goalkeeper and captain of the French national soccer team, Hugo Lloris, announced his international retirement, after a 14-year career with several titles and records.

"It is not easy to say it, but after 14 years defending that jersey, which I wore with immense pleasure, pride and sense of responsibility, I think I have come to the end, the Russia-2018 World Cup winner told the newspaper L'Equipe.

According to the 36-year-old player and member of the English club Tottenham, there is a time when it is necessary to make way for others.

"The France team belongs to no one, and we must all make sure that it is so, me first of all," said the runner-up of the recent Qatar World Cup and 2021 Nations League monarch.

Lloris retires from international soccer as Les Bleus' leader in caps with 145, after surpassing Lilian Thuram's 142 selections on Qatari soil, and also as the top captain's armband wearer (121).

In one of the first reactions, Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps considered that Lloris is at the peak of his mastery, but asked to respect his decision.