New start for Spain: World Cup disappointment followed by captain's resignation
Created: 2022-12-16, 8:12 p.m
By: Christoph Gschossmann
Sergio Busquets (o.2.fr) resigns from the Spanish national team.
© Tom Weller/dpa-Bildfunk
Spain experienced a great disappointment in the World Cup Round of 16 against Morocco.
Captain Sergio Busquets has now announced that he is retiring from the national team.
Madrid – He was the last regular player of the 2010 generation of world champions: Captain Sergio Busquets has announced his retirement from the Spanish national team.
This was announced by the RFEF football association on Friday.
The 34-year-old FC Barcelona midfielder has played 143 internationals for La Furia Roja and was part of the side that won the country's first World Cup in South Africa in 2010.
In 2012, Busquets also won the European Championship with the Iberians.
Association President Luis Rubiales paid tribute to the Catalans: "Sergio Busquets is an icon of Spanish football, a model athlete, an impeccable professional and an undisputed leader."
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Busquets and the Spaniards surprisingly lost to Morocco in the round of 16.
In the 3-0 penalty shoot-out, the captain was also denied by the invincible goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
It was 0-0 after 120 minutes.
(Match schedule for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar)
Sergio Busquets: "It was an honor"
Busquets wrote on Instagram: "It has been an honor to represent my country and lead it to the top, to be world and European champions, to be captain and to play so many games, with more or less success, but always all closed give and contribute my grain of sand to make everything as good as possible." He wanted "everyone to feel how important they are to help everyone and fight for the same goal, with unique, unforgettable and historic experiences."
The tournament in Qatar was Busquet's fourth World Cup and with 17 appearances he is Spain's all-time World Cup capper, tied with Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas.
"Sergio is a quiet leader who is admired by everyone for his humility and naturalness," Rubiales said.
(cgsc with dpa)
He ousted Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal's starting eleven and came up trumps: Goncalo Ramos is said to arouse desires both in Munich and at BVB.