Sergio Ramos, who has played and captained the Spanish national team for the past 21 years, has decided to retire from playing for the team.
The 36-year-old Paris St-Germain defender is Spain’s most capped player. He is considered as the player of all time in this national team because he played 180 games, in the main team and 15 games in the youth teams.
Since March 2021, Ramos has not appeared in Spain’s squad for international matches, and was omitted by Spain coach Luis Enrique from the squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
On this Thursday, the 23rd, a message appeared on social media, showing that the man who will promise to play for the national team is very sad.
“The time has come to say goodbye to our beloved and proud national team,” he said.
Ramos announced the decision after a telephone conversation with new coach De la Fuente, who replaced Enrique after Spain were eliminated by Morocco in one of their eight World Cup matches.
“This morning I received a phone call from our new coach, who told me that I am not in his number and will never be. Depending on the level of my contribution, I will continue to do my job.”
“I am very sorry that this journey has come to an end and I wanted it to end on a positive note, because of what we have achieved with the national team. I believe that my journey has come to an end because it’s not my age, but my level of play that doesn’t match what the national team wants.”
He added that football has no meaning and that’s why sometimes you are rational.
“I enjoy watching and even envy when I see Luka Modric, Lionel Messi, Pepe and others as the basis, the tradition, the values, to see what you have fought for and the justice that is in football.”
Ramos started playing for Spain in 2005, at the age of 18. But he last played for the team when they beat Kosovo 3-1 in the World Cup qualifying match, also as a substitute.
In all 180 games he played for Spain as a defender, he scored 23 goals. In addition to winning, he helped them win two European Cups, 2008 and 2012, and the 2010 World Cup.
