Xabi Alonson has retired from international football…
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Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has announced his retirement from international football. The former Liverpool star was capped 114 times by Spain, scoring 16 goals.
I announce my retirement from international football. It’s been an enormous honour for 11 great years. Sincere thanks to everyone involved.
— Xabi Alonso (@XabiAlonso) August 27, 2014
The 32-year-old made his Spain debut in 2003, shortly before he completed his move from Real Sociedad to Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool.
He became an iconic figure at Anfield after helping them to their Champions League triumph over AC Milan in 2005, scoring the equalising goal in the dramatic 3-3 draw, before the Reds won the game in Istanbul on penalties.
A year after helping Spain win Euro 2008, he made the switch to Real Madrid, where he completed his development into one of the best midfield players of his generation.
Further success came at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, while he was selected in the FIFA World XI in both 2011 and 2012. Earlier this year, he won the Champions League for a second time, but his success with Madrid was not replicated on the international stage this time around, as Spain crashed out of the tournament in Brazil at the ground stage.
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