WORLD CUP winner Sergio Busquets has retired from international football following Spain’s early World Cup exit.
The Barcelona midfielder, 34, wore the captain’s armband for La Roja at Qatar 2022.
However, his side were dumped out on penalties by Morocco in the last 16.
And Busquets, the last remaining member from the 2010 squad, has now called time on his international career.
The holding midfielder said: โI would like to announce that after almost 15 years and 143 games, the time has come to say goodbye to the national team.
โI would like to thank all the people who have been with me on this long road.
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โFrom Vicente del Bosque who gave me the opportunity to start, to Luis Enrique for making me enjoy it until the last second.
โIt has been an honour to represent my country and take it to the top, to be a World and European champion, to be captain and to play so many games with greater or lesser success.
โBut Iโve always given everything and always contributed my grain of sand so that everything was as right as possible and that everyone felt how important they are, helping everyone and fighting for the same goal, with unique, unforgettable and historical experiences.”
Busquets is third in the all-time appearance makers for Spain, making his debut in 2009 before winning the World Cup in South Africa the following year and adding the European Championships in 2012.
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His two goals for Spain both came in late 2014 with strikes against Macedonia and Belarus in Euro 2016 qualifying.
However, his final touch of a football for his country will be a painful memory.
Busquets stepped up to take the third Spain penalty in the shootout against Morocco.
However, just like his team-mates Pablo Sarabia and Carlos Soler, he failed to find the net.
Atlas Lions goalkeeper Yassine Bounou flung himself to the right to palm Busquets’ effort away.
Achraf Hakimi then stepped up and dinked the ball down the middle to send Morocco through to the quarter-finals – and Spain packing home.
And Busquets has followed in the footsteps of manager Luis Enrique by quitting his role with the national team – although the gaffer was sacked.
The midfielder will now decide on the future of his club career.
The Barcelona academy graduate broke through into the first team at the Nou Camp under Pep Guardiola.
He has stayed with Barca for his entire career, racking up 696 appearances.
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However, his current contract expires at the end of the season when he turns 35.
And he is mulling over whether to sign a new deal at the Nou Camp or join Inter Miami in 2023.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
