Europe 1 with AFP 7:20 p.m., February 23, 2023

Croatian central defender Dejan Lovren, who has been playing for Olympique Lyonnais since January, announced his international retirement on Thursday after playing 78 games for the checkered side, contributing largely to his recent success in the World Cup.

Croatian central defender Dejan Lovren announced his international retirement on Thursday.

The Olympique Lyonnais player had contributed to Croatia's various successes in the World Cup.

Croatian coach Zlatko Dalic, admiring his defender, paid tribute to one of the "locker room leaders".

Thank you @HNS_CFF for everything!



Forever in my heart.

❤️ pic.twitter.com/GSebjeEKK8

— Dejan Lovren (@Dejan06Lovren) February 23, 2023

"This day when I have to say goodbye and farewell to the Croatian selection has arrived," wrote Lovren, 33, in a message broadcast by the Croatian Football Federation, adding that he had made this decision "after much thought".

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"A real fighter"

Lovren has played international matches for fourteen years, and he notably contributed to the performances of the Croatians at the 2018 World Cup in Russia (vice-champions) and at the World Cup in Qatar last fall (3rd place).

"I dreamed, as a child, that I was going to play in the big tournaments wearing the most beautiful jersey with the checkerboards. I had dressed the first time at nine years old in white and red checks and I will never forget this particular feeling - like if I had a Superman shield", also explains the author of 5 goals for Croatia.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic hailed "a real fighter", "the player you want to have in your ranks in every battle".

"In his career, he faced a lot of criticism and mistrust, but he was always a formidable fighter who can, at the end of his history in the selection, be largely proud of what he has achieved," writes Dalic in a press release.

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Back at OL

Lovren left Zenit Saint-Petersburg (1st Russian div.), of which he was captain, at the beginning of January to sign a two-and-a-half-year contract with OL (French League 1), where he had already played between 2010 and 2013.

After this first spell in the French club, he was transferred to Southampton (31 matches, 2 goals), before playing in Liverpool (2014-2020, 185 matches, 8 goals), with whom he won the English championship (2020 ) and the Champions League (2019).