Sergio Busquets announces retirement from international football

The World Cup winner has released a touching farewell message to confirm his exit from the national team.

Spain captain Sergio Busquets has retired from international football.

The 34-year-old Barcelona midfielder finishes as the country’s third-most capped player in history with 143 caps, behind only Iker Casillas (167 caps) and Sergio Ramos (180 caps).

Busquets, who managed two goals and nine assists in international football, was part of Spain’s Golden Generation, which won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 titles. His last game for La Roja involved a penalty miss in the last-16 shootout defeat to Morocco at the most recent World Cup.

Busquets’ parting message to Spain

“I would like to thank all the people who have accompanied me on this long journey,” Busquets posted on Instagram.

“From Vicente del Bosque who gave me the opportunity to start, to Luis Enrique for making me enjoy it until the last second.

“I also thank Julen Lopetegui, Fernando Hierro and Robert Moreno for their trust, as well as all their staff.

“And, of course, to each and every one of my teammates, with whom I have struggled to try to take the team where it deserved, with more or less success but always giving everything and with the greatest of pride.

“It has been an honor 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 but always giving everything and contributing my grain of sand so that everything went the right way.”