Sergio Ramos retires from Spain duty and criticizes manager after ruthless call
defender for Paris Saint-Germain Sergio Ramos, Spain's most capped player at international level, has issued a statement confirming his decision to retire from internationals.
Sergio Ramos has announced his retirement from international football following a request from his country's new manager, Luis de la Fuente.
The 36-year-old defender is Spain's most-capped player, having played in World Cup and European Championship winning squads. Ramos, who currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain, made the announcement via his social media channels.
"The time has come to say goodbye to our beloved and exciting Red, the National Team," Ramos wrote. "I received a call this morning from my current coach, who told me that he doesn't count and that he won't count on me, regardless of the level I can demonstrate or how I continue my sporting career."
Ramos made his Spain debut when he was still a teenager in 2005. He went on to play 180 times for his country, winning the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championships in 2008 and 2012.
He was left out of the national squads for both Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup, where Spain was eliminated in the first round by Morocco, prompting the departure of manager Luis Enrique. Luis de la Fuente has taken over as manager and confirmed that Ramos was not in his plans.
"With great regret, it is the end of a journey that I had hoped would be longer and end with a better taste in the mouth, on the pinnacle of all the successes we have achieved with our Red," Ramos continued in his statement. "Humbly, I think that that career deserved to end because of a personal decision or because my achievement was not up to what our National Team deserves, not due to age or other reasons that, without having heard them, I have felt.
"Because being young or less young is not a quality or a defect, it is only a short term trait that is not necessarily related to performance or ability. I admire and envy Modric, Messi, Pepe... football's essence, tradition, values, meritocracy, and justice.
"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 try to reclaim indelible memories, all the titles we have fought and praised all together and the tremendous pride of being the Spanish player with the most internationalities. This shield, this shirt, and this fan, you've all 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. Thank you to everyone who has always believed in me!"
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