Handball: Luka Karabatic announces his international retirement six months after the end of his brother Nikola's career

All good things must come to an end. After making history with the French handball team, notably with his older brother Nikola, Luka Karabatic announced his international retirement on Tuesday, February 25. "Today, it is with emotion that I announce the end of my adventure with the French team. For more than 10 years, I have had the honor and privilege of wearing this blue, white and red jersey that has always made me dream so much," wrote the pivot on his Instagram account. He is thus following in the footsteps of his brother, Nikola, who retired after the Blues were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Paris Olympic Games .

Luka Karabatic's adventure with Les Bleus therefore ends after 171 selections, ten international medals including an Olympic title (2020), two world titles (2015, 2017) and two European titles (2014, 2024), at the end of fourteen years with the French team. "I was lucky enough to rub shoulders with exceptional players, to form strong friendships and to experience great human stories that I will cherish in memory even before the titles and medals," adds the PSG player.

"I would like to thank my coaches for their trust as well as all the staff and the people who work behind the scenes to make this team shine," added Luka Karabatic, before thanking the French supporters and his family.

This decision is a half-surprise, as the captain of the Tricolores had preferred to leave his armband during the last world championships, which saw France adorn itself with bronze . "I tell myself that it could be my last competition, but I haven't given myself a deadline," he assured before the World Championships, while admitting that it felt " strange " to be in Blue without his brother Nikola. He will now devote himself to his club PSG, where he has been playing since 2015.