Sergio Busquets, who ranks third among Spanish players in terms of appearances, has declared his retirement from international play.
The 34-year-old skippered Spain in each of their four games during the World Cup in Qatar, but Luis Enrique’s team was eliminated by Morocco in the last 16 when he missed a penalty in the shootout.
Busquets made his La Roja debut against Turkey in April 2009 and went on to make 143 appearances, which places him third all-time in the nation’s history behind Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos.
The Barcelona midfielder, who has two goals for his country, was a crucial member of the Spain teams that won the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship.
“I would like to thank all the people who have accompanied me on this long journey,” he wrote 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 team-mates, 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 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 but always giving everything and contributing my grain of sand so that everything went the right way.”
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