Sergio Busquets Cares For Pension From The Spanish National Team

Sergio Busquets (Instagram @5busquets)

JAKARTA Sergio Busquets officially announced his retirement from the Spanish national team after his country was eliminated from the round of 16 of Qatar's 2022 World Cup.

The 34-year-old declared his resignation from La Furia Roja via Instagram social media on Friday, December 16 evening WIB.

"I would like to announce that after nearly 15 years and 143 games, it has come time to say goodbye to the national team," he wrote.

Busquets has decided to retire after 13 years of international matches since his debut in 2009. He is the one-one 2010 World Cup winner to be called up to the 2022 World Cup.

The Barcelona player made a total of 143 caps or the third most in Spanish history. He is behind Sergio Ramos (180 appearances) and Iker Casillas (167 appearances).

He only scored two goals during that period. However, he was an integral part of Spain's midfield for more than a decade.

Apart from lifting the World Cup trophy in Africa, Busquets is also in the squad that won Euro 2012. He is part of the iconic Spanish team that dominated football for four years.

"I would like to thank everyone who has accompanied me on this long journey," he continued in a statement.

"For my teammates, with whom I have struggled to try to get the team to a proper place, with more or less success, but always give everything and with the greatest pride," he added.

Busquets were one of three Spanish players who missed a penalty in a Qatari World Cup last-16 penalty shootout against Morocco after they were held to a 120-minute goalless draw.