Sergio Ramos has announced his retirement from international football with Spain after 180 appearances for the national team.
The 36-year-old has played in four World Cups and three European Championships, winning the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.
Ramos made his debut for Spain at the age of 18, and he now has 13 more caps than Iker Casillas, who is in second place.
The seasoned defender was not selected for the 2022 World Cup by Luis Enrique, and he has been told that he is not in the plans of new La Roja head coach Luis de la Fuente.
“The time has come. Time for me to say goodbye to the Spain national team. To La Roja. This morning, I received a call from the current Head Coach who informed me that I am not and will not be part of his plans, regardless of how I perform or what I do in my career,” he wrote on Instagram.
“With a heavy heart, it’s the end of a road that I hoped would stretch out further and which would end with a better taste in my mouth, on a par with all the success we achieved with La Roja.
Sergio Ramos leaves Spanish national team after speaking to the new coach De la Fuente 🚨🇪🇸 #Spain
“I believe that this journey deserved to end at my own choosing, not due to a question of age”.
“I envy & admire players like Messi, Modric and Pepe, it won’t be the same for me”. pic.twitter.com/msa49JoAuG
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 23, 2023
“I honestly believe that this journey deserved to end at my own choosing or because my performances were not at a level worthy of our national team.
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Ramos last played for Spain in March 2021, but he remains a prominent player for Paris Saint-Germain, having appeared on 32 times during the 2022-23 season.
This season, the defender has appeared in 21 Ligue 1 matches and seven Champions League matches.
However, Ramos’ future at club level remains uncertain, given he is only under contract with the French champions until the end of the season.
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