Madrid: Just weeks after celebrating Spain’s World Cup triumph, Marcos Llorente has announced his decision to step away from the national team at the age of 31.
The Atlético Madrid defender, who has made 27 appearances for Spain, revealed his decision on Instagram on Thursday. He shared the announcement alongside a photograph of himself holding the World Cup trophy that Spain won in July.
Llorente said the decision had been carefully considered and was a personal choice. He also revealed that he had already made up his mind about leaving the team before the World Cup.
The defender acknowledged that, at 31, he could still have several years ahead of him in a Spain shirt if he continued performing well. However, after giving the matter considerable thought, he decided that it was the right time to bring his journey with the national team to a close.
Looking back on his time with Spain, Llorente expressed his gratitude to the people he encountered throughout his career and said the experience had given him and his family unforgettable memories.
He reserved particular praise for Spain’s World Cup squad, highlighting the group’s determination and unity during the 52-day campaign that ultimately ended with the team lifting the trophy.
Llorente first represented Spain at senior level in 2020. He was also selected for the 2022 World Cup squad but was not part of the side that won the 2024 European Championship.
Reflecting on his career with Spain, Llorente said representing his country had been an honour and that he was proud to have been part of an important chapter in Spanish football history.
