Hugo Lloris had the chance to write his name into footballing folklore on Sunday as he aimed to become the first player ever to captain his side to two World Cup wins.
Unfortunately for the Frenchman, it wasn’t to be. Just like in 2006, France lost the final in a penalty shootout, sparking jubilant scenes for Lionel Messi and Argentina.
Lloris was so nearly the hero for France. He came within inches of a couple of Argentina penalties, and on another day, he perhaps could’ve won the tournament for his country.
The Tottenham goalkeeper, sadly, comes away from this final with a lot of regrets, and the image of Lloris’ reaction after losing the final is a true image of a man contemplating what he could’ve done differently.
While Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate are standing tall and looking rather proud of their efforts, Lloris embodies the image of a man who just wants to get out of the spotlight.
Arms folded, head down, the last place Lloris wanted to be was in the middle of the Lusail Stadium after this loss.
Sadly, this may be the final image we see of Lloris at a World Cup – he isn’t getting any younger and his international career is likely to be over by the time 2026 rolls around.
Of course, when the dust settles and Lloris has time to contemplate everything he will be able to look back on his international career very fondly.
He may not have done it in Qatar, but he still has a World Cup winners’ medal in his collection, and while a runners up medal is the last thing he wanted to receive on Sunday, there’s still a lot of pride in finishing second.
It may take Lloris a little while to get over this, but he has to adapt quickly as Tottenham are back in Premier League action this time next week.
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