The round of 16 between the French team and Poland will be a very special match for Hugo Lloris. The captain of the Blues will join Lilian Thuram to become the record holder for Blues, with a total of 142 matches played.
Hugo Lloris is preparing to mark the history of French football. This Sunday, November 4, 2022, the captain and goalkeeper of the France team will put on his blue jersey for the… 142nd time in his long career. More than fourteen years after his very first selection, on November 19, 2008 against Uruguay (0-0), Hugo Lloris will become the co-holder of the record for the most matches played with the France team: 142. So this round of 16 against Poland will necessarily be a totally special match for the doorman of the Blues, who had already exceeded Marcel Desailly and his 116 selections several years ago.
Invited for the occasion to a press conference this Saturday, December 3, on the eve of the long-awaited France – Poland, Hugo Lloris did not hide his pride: “It’s not nothing. I am very honored by these figures, very proud, even if at the dawn of an eighth it remains secondary. In my eyes, this competition comes first, and I want to keep all my attention and energy for tomorrow’s game, a new battle ahead of us. This is something I will appreciate more once the competition is over“, he said, stars in his eyes.
Didier Deschamps: “This record has a meaning, it speaks volumes”
A joy obviously shared by the coach of the France team, Didier Deschamps, who has already held this record, from 1999 to 2003, with 103 selections. The latter was full of praise for his captain: “Tomorrow’s game will have a very symbolic value. Records are all made to be broken. Thuram and Lloris is the longevity of two exemplary players, two great professionals who have both maintained themselves at a very, very high level. These records have a meaning. Some are more innocuous than others, but this one is telling”, commented Deschamps.
But in order not to spoil his party, Hugo Lloris will quickly have to concentrate on the lawn of the Al-Thumama stadium, located south of Doha. There, from 4:00 p.m., kick-off time, the Polish team will wait for France at the turn, and will try everything to oust them from the competition, of which they are defending champions. So to try to help the Blues hang a third star on their jersey, Hugo Lloris will have to put out a great performance against the attempts of Robert Lewandowski and his teammates. The objective is clear for the captain of the Blues: to continue to improve this record. And during this World Cup.