Sergio Ramos officially retires from Spain national team after 180 caps

Sergio Ramos has officially announced his retirement from the Spanish national team after a call with new head coach Luis de la Fuente. 

He last played for Spain in 2021, and was left out of the squad for the World Cup by Luis Enrique. And Ramos has now revealed that there are no plans for him to be called up regardless of how well he plays. He has confirmed the decision in a social media post, bidding goodbye to an illustrious career with La Roja. 

Sergio Ramos retires from Spain national team 

“The time has come, the time to say goodbye to the National Team, our beloved and exciting Red. This morning I received the call from the current coach who told me that he doesn’t count and that he won’t count on me, regardless of the level I can show or how I continue my sporting career,” he posted on social media.

“Humbly, I think that (my) career deserved to end because of a personal decision or because my performance was not up to what our National Team deserves, but not because of age or other reasons that, without having heard them, I have felt. Because being young or less young is not a virtue or a defect, it is only a temporary trait that is not necessarily related to performance or ability. I look with admiration and envy at Modric, Messi, Pepe… the essence, tradition, values, meritocracy and justice in football,” Sergio Ramos added in his retirement message.

“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 take back indelible memories, all the titles we have fought and celebrated all together and the tremendous pride of being the Spanish player with the most caps. This shield, this shirt and this fan, all of you have 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. Heartfelt thanks to everyone who always believed in me!”

Sergio Ramos won the 2010 World Cup, as well as the 2008 and 2012 Euros with Spain. He made his debut as a teenager in 2005, and after going on to become the captain of the national team over a 16-year long career, he has now called it quits.