Spain legend Sergio Ramos announces international retirement | OneFootball

Long-time Spain international Sergio Ramos has announced his retirement from the national team on Thursday.

The current Paris-Germain defender was a crucial member of Spain’s ‘Golden Generation’ from 2008-2012, captaining the side and scoring 23 goals for his country in 180 appearances.

“The time has come, the time to say goodbye to the National Team,” confirmed Ramos on social media. “This morning I received the call from the current coach who told me that he doesn’t count and that he won’t count on me, regardless of the level I can show or how I continue my sporting career.

“With great regret, it is the end of a journey that I hoped would be longer and that would end with a better taste in the mouth, on the height of all the successes we have achieved…

“Because being young or less young is not a virtue or a defect, it is only a temporary trait that is not necessarily related to performance or ability. I look with admiration and envy at Modric, Messi, Pepe… the essence, tradition, values, meritocracy and justice in football.

“Unfortunately it won’t be like that for me, because football is not always fair and football is never just football.

“Through it all I take it with this sadness that I want to share with you, but also with my head very high and very grateful for all these years and for all your support. I take back indelible memories, all the titles we have fought and celebrated all together and the tremendous pride of being the Spanish player with the most internationalities.

“This shield, this shirt and this fan, all of you have made me happy. I will continue to cheer on my country from home with the thrill of the privileged who has been able to proudly represent it 180 times.”

While playing for Spain, Ramos won the 2008 and 2012 European Championships and the 2010 World Cup.