Marcos Llorente retires from Spain national team
Marcos Llorente retires from Spain national team
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Key Points
1
Club honours: since joining Atletico Madrid in 2019 for £35m from Real Madrid, Llorente has won major club honours including two UEFA Champions League titles and a La Liga title.
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World Cup 2026 role: he opened the tournament as Spain's starting right back and played full 90 minutes in group-stage wins over Saudi Arabia and Uruguay before Pedro Porro took over the starting spot.
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International debut and stats: made his Spain debut on November 11, 2020, earning 27 caps and recording four assists across six years, with no goals.
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Injury and Euro 2024 omission: missed the Nations League finals due to a muscle injury and was left out of the Euro 2024 squad.
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Personal stance: Llorente described his decision to retire as deeply personal and heartfelt, indicating it came after careful consideration.
Marcos Llorente, 31, has announced his retirement from Spain's national team after helping the country win the 2026 World Cup. The Atletico Madrid midfielder-turned-right-back earned 27 caps over six years and described the decision as deeply personal and heartfelt, stating it came regardless of whether Spain claimed the title Yahoo Sports.
Llorente's exit marks a significant loss for Spain ahead of defending the World Cup crown in 2030. He started the 2026 tournament as Spain's right back and played the full 90 minutes in group-stage victories over Saudi Arabia and Uruguay before losing his spot to Pedro Porro Winnipeg Free Press.
A Six-Year International Journey Ending at His Peak
Llorente made his Spain debut on November 11, 2020, and went on to earn 27 caps and four assists across six years with the national team. He recorded no goals during his international career, but his defensive work and versatility proved valuable as Spain progressed through tournaments The Daily Jagran. His journey from fringe player to World Cup winner showcased his growth within the national setup.
From Real Madrid to Champions League Success at Atletico
Llorente began his career at Real Madrid before joining Atletico Madrid in 2019 for £35 million. Since the move, he has collected major club honours including two UEFA Champions League titles and a La Liga title Newsday. His performances at club level helped solidify his reputation as a reliable performer in midfield and defence.
Injuries and Euro 2024 Left Him Outside Looking In
Llorente missed Spain's Nations League finals due to a muscle injury and was left out of the Euro 2024 squad entirely. The setbacks tested his commitment to the national team during a critical period SANA. Despite the exclusions, he bounced back to feature prominently in Spain's World Cup-winning campaign just months later.
Spain Faces World Cup Defence Without a Key Defender
Llorente's retirement removes an experienced defender from Spain's roster as the team prepares to defend its World Cup title in 2030. His decision comes after careful reflection rather than external circumstances, signalling a clean break from international duty Yahoo Sports. Spain will need to develop a replacement at right back as the squad transitions toward the next World Cup cycle.
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