Football End of an era: Sergio Ramos announces retirement from La Roja

Ramos led Spain to World Cup glory in 2010 and back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012, has not played for his country since March 2021 and was not included in the squad for the recent World Cup.

Paris St-Germain defender and Spain's most capped player of all time, Sergio Ramos, has announced his retirement from international football with a "heavy heart."

In a social media post, the defender said he had made the decision after a phone call with new coach Luis de la Fuente, who had told him he would not be selected for the team.

Ramos disclosed that he felt his path deserved to end because of his own personal decision or his performance, not because of his age.

the 36-year-old expressed his sadness at leaving the national team, saying, "The time has come... It's the end of a road.”

“I hoped would stretch out further and would end with a better taste in my mouth, on a par with all the success we achieved with La Roja."

"This morning I received the call from the current coach who told me that he doesn't and will not count on me, regardless of the level I can show or how I continue my sporting career," Ramos said.

"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."

"Unfortunately, it will not happen to me because football is not always fair and football is never only about football," he said.

Despite his disappointment at being left out of the squad, Ramos acknowledged the "essence, tradition, values, meritocracy and justice in football" and expressed his gratitude for the support of the Spanish fans.

"I have always felt the love and respect of the Spanish people, and nothing will change that," he said.

Ramos led Spain to World Cup glory in 2010 and back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012, has not played for his country since March 2021 and was not included in the squad for the recent World Cup.