Berlin, 24 February 2023 (STATS Perform/dpa/MIA) - Sergio Ramos has announced his retirement from international football after a hugely decorated Spain career.

Ramos made his debut for La Roja in 2005, before going on to make 180 appearances for his national side to become Spain's most-capped player.

The centre-back played a vital role as Spain won three major tournaments in a row, lifting the European Championship trophy in 2008 and 2012 either side of becoming world champions in South Africa in 2010.

Ramos, who will turn 37 next month, last played for Spain in March 2021 and was not part of Luis Enrique's squad for Euro 2020 or the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where Spain were beaten on penalties by Morocco in the round of 16.

Luis Enrique was sacked after that exit, with his replacement Luis de la Fuente saying this month that the door was not closed on Ramos potentially making a return to the team.

But the Paris Saint-Germain man, who has had significant problems with injuries over recent seasons, has decided to call it quits.

It brings an end to a glittering international career where he made it to ninth on the nation's all-time goalscoring charts despite being a defender, having scored on 23 occasions.

Photo: EPA