Andrés Iniesta has confirmed his retirement from international football after Spain’s penalty shootout defeat to Russia.
The former Barcelona man came on as a in La Roja 4-3 loss on penalties to hosts Russia in the last 16 on Sunday.
The 34-year-old, who scored Spain’s winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final, played his 131 game for the national team today, in what was a blistering career.
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He was part of the Spanish golden generation that won the the European Championship in 2008 and 2012, and the FIFA World Cup in 2010.
“It is a reality that is my last match with the national team,” he said.
“Sometimes the endings are not as one dreams,” he added. “It is the saddest day of my career.”