‘Many of you won’t understand’ – World Cup and Champions League winner, 31, announces shock retirement in emotional post

ATLETICO MADRID star Marcos Llorente has walked away from the Spain national team at the age of 31. The midfielder, who often played right back for the World Champions, announced his international retirement on social media on Thursday. Llorente in the midst of the World Cup celebrations this summer in New York Credit: Getty Llorente battling with Caoe Verde in the group stages of the World Cup Credit: AP He wrote: “After much deliberation, I have decided to end my time with the National Team. “I am aware that I am still young and that, perhaps, if I continue to do things well, I still have years left to continue playing with this jersey. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! “I know many of you won’t understand, and I probably wouldn’t have understood it from the outside either. But it’s a personal decision, very carefully considered and, above all, deeply felt. “Regardless of whether I had gone to the World Cup or not, or whether we had won or not, I had already made this decision.” His international career ended in the best possible fashion with Llorente winning the World Cup. He started the opening game of the competition in the right-back slot, but Pedro Porro would usurp him from that point onwards. Llorente gave his thanks to his family and his team-mates for his wonderful international career that won him 27 caps. BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Llorente with the biggest prize of his career, the World Cup “I can only be infinitely grateful to all the people I have met during these years who have made it possible for my family and me to experience unique and unforgettable moments. Most read in Sport “I’ll cherish everything I’ve experienced, but above all, these last 52 days. With a wonderful group that fought until the very end to put Spain on top. And they did. It’s been an honor to represent my country and be part of this story. Thank you for everything. Hugs to all.” Llorente was sadly not picked for their European Championships triumph two years ago where they beat England in the final. Luis De la Fuente opted for veterans Dani Carvajal and Jesús Navas as right-backs at the time. But, Llorente has had a great career that has seen him win La Liga with Atletico Madrid and the Champions League with city rivals Real. Comment now