After Winning FIFA World Cup, 31-Year-Old Spainard Announces Retirement

Last Updated:September 04, 2026, 10:02 IST

Marcos Llorente says he had already made up his mind whether he would have been part of the world cup squad or not.

Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the final. (Reuters Photo)

Marcos Llorente has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 31, bringing his six-year Spain career to an unexpected end just weeks after helping the country win the World Cup. The Atletico Madrid midfielder revealed his decision in a surprise social media post on Thursday.

“After turning the decision over in my mind for a long time, I have decided to bring my time with the national team to a close,” posted Llorente.

Llorente was part of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad in July, serving as back-up to Tottenham’s Pedro Porro at right back. He started two group-stage matches and made just one further appearance, playing six minutes as Spain comfortably saw out their semi-final victory over France.

Llorente acknowledged that he could potentially have continued his international career for several more years.

“I realise that I am still young and that, perhaps, if I continued to perform well, I would still have years left to play in this shirt,” he added wrote in a post on Instagram.

The Atletico player said the decision had been deeply personal and had been made regardless of whether Spain reached or won the tournament.

“I know that many of you won’t understand this, and, frankly, I probably wouldn’t have understood it either if I’d been looking at it from the outside,” wrote Llorente who finishes with 27 caps over a six-year international career.

“But it is a personal decision, one I have thought through very carefully and, above all, one that comes from the heart Regardless of whether I’d have gone to the World Cup or not, or whether we’d have won or not, I’d already made up my mind.”

Reflecting on his time with Spain, Llorente said the experience of the World Cup had been particularly special.

“I’ll cherish everything I’ve experienced, but above all, these last 52 days. With a wonderful group who fought right to the end to put Spain at the very top. And that’s exactly what they did,” he said.

Llorente began his professional career at Real Madrid before moving across the Spanish capital to Atletico Madrid in 2019. His club honours include two Champions League titles and a La Liga title.

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Why did Marcos Llorente retire after winning the World Cup?

Marcos Llorente retired because of a deeply considered personal decision that came from the heart. He explained that he had already made up his mind to retire regardless of whether he was selected for the World Cup squad or whether Spain won the tournament.

Could Llorente have played more international matches?

Yes, Marcos Llorente acknowledged that he could potentially have continued playing for Spain’s national team for several more years. However, he explained that retiring at the age of 31 was a carefully considered personal decision that came from the heart.

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Feroz Khan

Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More

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