Record international Ramos no longer needed with Spain: ‘Football not always fair’

Sergio Ramos (36) is, of necessity, ending his international career with the Spanish national team with immediate effect. The Paris Saint-Germain defender made this known in an emotional speech on Twitter, in which he made it clear that it is not his own choice, but that of the new national coach Luis de la Fuente.

Ramos played no less than 180 international games for Spain and won three major awards with his country, the European Championship in 2008, the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship in 2012.

Ramos reveals that he does not understand the decision: “I really think I should choose the end myself, and not that I should quit because of my age. That’s just a number. Unfortunately, soccer is not always fair.”

Ramos was considered one of the best defenders in the world for many years, during which time he was an undisputed base player at both his club Real Madrid and his country. He won everything there was to win, but after his transfer to Paris in 2021 and injuries, he was called up less and less under the previous national coach, Luis Enrique.

Ramos missed the last two major tournaments, the 2021 European Championship and the World Cup in Qatar late last year, for a variety of reasons. In 2021, he was injured, but for the World Cup in Qatar, Enrique did not think Ramos would be needed. Even then, Ramos called that decision “tough.”

With his 180 international matches, there are only five male soccer players worldwide who have played more international matches for their country, including Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who tops that list with 196 international matches.