Atlético Madrid defender Marcos Llorente has announced his retirement from international football, bringing his Spain career to an end at the age of 31.
Llorente made the announcement on Thursday, September 3, just weeks after helping Spain win the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The versatile defender, who can also operate in midfield, finishes his international career with 27 appearances for Spain. He made his senior debut in November 2020 under former manager Luis Enrique.
In a statement shared on social media, Llorente said his decision had been made before the World Cup and was not influenced by whether he was selected for the tournament or whether Spain eventually won the trophy.
“It is a personal decision, very carefully considered and, above all, one that comes from the heart,” Llorente said.
He added that he was aware he could potentially have continued representing Spain for several more years but felt the time was right to close that chapter.
Llorente represented Spain at the 2021 European Championship and the 2022 and 2026 World Cups, with his final appearance coming in the semi-final victory over France in July.
His international career ends with a World Cup winners’ medal, while he remains an Atlético Madrid player.
Although Llorente was part of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad, his playing time declined during the tournament. He featured in the group stage and made a brief appearance in the semi-final against France but remained an unused substitute as Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the final on July 19.