Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos has issued a statement to announce his retirement from the Spanish national team after a call from coach Luis de la Fuente.
A World Cup and two-time European Championship winner, PSG defender Ramos lashed out at the coach's decision and leaves a string of messages in his letter, making it clear that the decision taken by De la Fuente was not a sporting one and that other factors played a part.
Sergio Ramos' statement:
"The time has come, the time to say goodbye to the national team, our beloved and exciting Roja. This morning I received a call from the current coach who told me that he does not count and that he will not count on me, regardless of the level I can show or how I continue my career," he began.
"With a lot of regret, it is the end of a journey that I had hoped would be longer and that ends with a better taste in my mouth, on a par with all the successes we have achieved with our national team.
"I humbly believe that this career deserved to end because of a personal decision or because my performances were not up to what our national team deserves, but not because of my 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 just a temporary characteristic 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.
"Unfortunately this will not be the case for me, because football is not always fair and football is never just football.
"For all these reasons I take it with this sadness that I want to share with you, but also with my head held very high and very grateful for all these years and for all your support. I take with me indelible memories, all the titles we have fought for and celebrated together and the tremendous pride of being the Spanish player with the most international caps.
"This crest, this shirt and this fan base, all of you, have made me happy. I will continue to cheer on my country from home with the emotion of a privileged person who has been able to represent it proudly 180 times. My heartfelt thanks to all of you who always believed in me!"
