Busquets Announces Retirement From International Football
Sergio Busquets has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 34.
Busquets made 143 appearances for the Spanish national team after making his debut in 2009. Only Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos have played in more matches for La Roja than Busquets.
The defensive midfielder captained Spain in their four games at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup which ended in a round of 16 exit to Morocco.
Busquets won the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and added the 2012 European championship to his international laurels two years later.
New Spain manager Luis de la Fuente will not be able to call upon the Barcelona midfielder following his decision to retire.
Busquets has said in a lengthy Instagram post: “Hello to all! I would like to announce that after almost 15 years and 143 games, the time has come to say goodbye to the national team. I would like to thank all the people who have been with me on this long road. From Vicente del Bosque who gave me the opportunity to start, to Luis Enrique for making me enjoy until the last second. Also thank the trust of Julen Lopetegui, Fernando Hierro or Robert Moreno, 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."
“Finally, I can only wish my teammates and the new coach Luis de la Fuente all the luck in the world. Now I will be one more fan, I will enjoy and unconditionally support our team.”
