Hugo Lloris and the never-ending question

On Sunday, he will eclipse Manuel Neuer as the goalkeeper with the most World Cup appearances. But what do we really make of France's veteran No 1, Hugo Lloris?

Sat, 17 Dec, 2022 - 06:45

Joe Callaghan in Doha

Look at Hugo Lloris for a minute. As he sits pondering questions and answers, he scratches his beard. A lot. He kneads his fingers over and back across his cheeks as he talks, twizzles some hairs near his nostrils as he tries to find the right word in English, pulls his chin lower as he peers for the questioner in the crowd.

It’s a damn fine beard, smooth and immaculately shaped, thinning out a little after the cheekbones but nothing major. At 35 there’s a small shake of salt and pepper in it too. Why shouldn’t he enjoy it? It’s almost perfect. Almost…but not quite. There’s a little gap, no wider than the lines in a thin-line copy book, between the beard and sideburns. And when you see it, you can’t unsee it. Why the gap? Why not blend it in and make it complete? Why can’t he close the gap and get it right?