Andres Iniesta announces international retirement following Spain World Cup exit

Sport360 staff 23:41 01/07/2018
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  • Andres Iniesta has announced his retirement from international football following Spain’s World Cup exit.

    The 34-year-old, who scored Spain’s match-winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final, confirmed his decision after La Roja’s last-16 loss to Russia in Moscow.

    Iniesta scored Spain’s opening penalty in the shoot-out against the host nation but was powerless to prevent his side losing 4-3 on spot-kicks – having drawn the match 1-1 – and tumbling out of the tournament.

    The playmaker, who recently left Barcelona to join Japanese side Vissel Kobe, won 131 caps for Spain.

    He said on www.sefutbol.com: “Sometimes the finals are not how you dream them.

    “It’s true that it is my last match with the national team, on a personal level it’s the end of a magnificent phase. Overall, I think it’s the saddest day of my career.”

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