Marcos Llorente announced that he is retiring from the Spanish national team at the age of just 31, just a few months after winning the 2026 World Cup with the “Furia Roja.” The Atlético Madrid right back announced his decision in a deeply emotional post, explaining that he felt his time with the national team had come full circle.

Yorente is retiring as a World Champion, having contributed to Luis de la Fuente’s team’s journey to the top of the world, in the tournament where Spain succeeded Argentina as world champions.

In total, he made 27 appearances and recorded 4 assists for the national team, leaving behind a remarkable legacy and a title that caps off his career with Spain.

Here is what Yorente said in his announcement:

“After much thought, I’ve decided to end my time with the national team.

I know I’m still young and that, perhaps, if I kept performing well, I’d still have years left to play in this jersey.

I know that many of you won’t understand, and probably I wouldn’t understand it either if I were looking at it from the outside. But it’s a personal decision, one I’ve thought through very carefully and, above all, one that’s deeply emotional.

Regardless of whether I had gone to the World Cup or not, or whether we had won or not, this decision had already been made.

I can only be eternally grateful to all the people I’ve met over the years who made it possible for my family and me to experience unique and unforgettable moments.

I will remember everything I’ve experienced, but above all, these last 52 days. With a wonderful team that fought until the very end to put Spain at the top. And they succeeded.

It was an honor to represent my country and be part of this story.

Thank you for everything.”

*photo source: AP