Alonso announces retirement from international football

Spanish international Xabi Alonso announced his retirement from the national team earlier today, after earning 114 caps for the Roja.

The 32-year-old was a key member of the national squad that created history by winning back to back major titles of Euro Cup in 2008, the World Cup in 2010, and the Euro Cup again in 2012, before crashing out of the World Cup in Brazil this year.

The midfielder progressed through the ranks of the youth system at La Liga side Real Sociedad, and made his senior team debut in in 1999. After 114 league appearances for the Royals and a loan spell with Eibar, Alonso joined Liverpool in 2004 and won the Champions League in his very first season at Anfield.

He had played a total of 210 games for the Reds across all competitions, before returning to Spain with Real Madrid in 2009. He has so far featured in 236 games for the Whites, and was a part of the squad that won the Champions League last year.

The one-time Spanish player of the year confirmed the news of his retirement on twitter, saying, “I announce my retirement from international football. It's been an enormous honour for 11 great years. Sincere thanks to everyone involved.”