Sergio Busquets, the 2010 World Cup winner from Spain, announced his retirement from international football on Friday.
"I'd like to announce that after nearly 15 years and 143 matches, the time has come to say goodbye to the national team," the 34-year-old Barcelona stalwart wrote on his social media platforms.
Busquets is the final member of the 2010 team to retire from international football; he was also a member of the team that won the European Championship in 2012.
He captained the 2022 World Cup team, which lost a penalty shootout to Morocco in the last-16.
Only his fellow 2010 teammates Iker Casillas (167) and Sergio Ramos (180) have played more times for Spain than him.
“It has been an honour to represent my national team and help lift it higher, to being European and World champions. To have been captain and to have played so many matches with a certain level of success and always trying to do my best,” Busquets wrote.
He made his international debut in the build up to the South African World Cup where Spain wowed fans with their tika-taka passing game.
Alongside his Barcelona teammates Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez, Busquets was at the heart of the World Cup and Euros double.
Vicente del Bosque was coach of that team and had high praise for Busquets.
“He will transcend the generations due to his immense heritage,” del Bosque said.
Busquets said from now on he would be “just another fan giving my unconditional support”.