Marcos Llorente retires from Spain duty after World Cup triumph

Atletico Madrid player Marcos Llorente announced his retirement from international football Thursday, weeks after helping Spain win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The 31-year-old right-back said on Instagram that he reached the decision after extensive consideration and made up his mind before the tournament.

“After a lot of time thinking about it, I have decided to end my stage with the national team,” Llorente said.

“I am aware that I am still young and that perhaps, if I keep doing things right, I would have had more years ahead of me to keep playing in this shirt.”

Llorente said the decision was personal and would have been the same regardless of whether he was selected for the World Cup or Spain won the tournament.

“I know that many of you will not understand this decision, and perhaps I myself would not have understood it had I been looking at it from the outside,” he said.

“But it is a personal decision, one I have thought about a great deal, and above all, one that comes from my feelings.”

Llorente thanked the people he worked with during his international career and said representing Spain had allowed him and his family to experience “unique, unforgettable moments.”

He highlighted the 52 days spent with the World Cup-winning squad, describing it as “a wonderful group that fought to the end, to put Spain in the highest place.”

“It has been a source of pride to represent my country and to be part of this story. Thank you for everything,” he added.

Llorente made his senior Spain debut against the Netherlands in November 2020 and earned 27 caps without scoring.

He was part of Spain’s squads at UEFA Euro 2020, which was held in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2022 and 2026 World Cups.

Llorente made three appearances during Spain’s victorious 2026 campaign, including as a substitute in their 2-0 semifinal win over France.

Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the final to win their second World Cup title.

A product of Real Madrid’s academy, Llorente began his senior career with the club’s reserve side and spent the 2016-17 season on loan at Deportivo Alaves.

He joined Atletico Madrid from Real Madrid in 2019 and helped the club win the La Liga title in the 2020-21 season.