Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso
has announced his retirement from international
football.
“I want to announce that my time with the Spanish
national team has come to an end,” he said in a
statement.
“The hardest thing is knowing when to say goodbye,
and after thinking about it, I think that my time with
the national team has come to an end.”
The 32-year-old was a key member of the Spanish
sides that have won the past two European
Championships in 2008 and 2012, as well as their
first World Cup in 2010.
“It has been a glorious period with the Spanish team
that started more than 11 years ago.
“I have formed part of an historical generation that
has fulfilled the dreams of millions of fans, achieving
something as unique as winning a World Cup and
two European Championships in a row.”
However, Alonso’s final international tournament
ended in huge disappointment as the holders
crashed out of the World Cup in Brazil after just two
games following defeats to the Netherlands and
Chile in the group stage.
Alonso scored 16 goals in 114 international
appearances and joins Xavi Hernandez in
announcing his international retirement, heralding
the end of an era for Spanish football.
“It is very difficult to improve on what he has done,”
added Spain coach Vicente del Bosque.
“He leaves a fantastic legacy along with his
teammates. He has been a great professional.”
Del Bosque will announce his squad for next
months’ friendly away to France and Spain’s first
Euro 2016 qualifier against Macedonia on Friday.
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