Xavi Hernandez: Barcelona legend quits Spain duty Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez has announced his retirement from international football.The 34-year-old won the World Cup and two European Championships with his country.He was capped 133 times, more than any other Spanish outfield player, and scored 13 goals.
He told a press conference in Barcelona: "I'm grateful for all those years. It has been a fantastic time."
Xavi made his full Spain debut on 15 November 2000, aged 20, against the Netherlands.
"I'm not 20 anymore, but I still have the motivation of a kid," he said.
He was voted player of the tournament at the 2008 European Championships
as Spain ended a 44-year wait for a major international trophy and begun a period of domination on the world stage.
Spain started the 2014 World Cup in Brazil as one of the favourites
but were dumped out of the tournament in the group stages after a 5-1 humiliation at the hands of the Netherlands and a 2-0 loss to Chile.
Xavi said: "I was going to retire after Euro 2012 but head coach Vicente del Bosque persuaded me to stay on
and go to Brazil which was of course a huge disappointment for everyone and myself individually.
"After Euro 2012, it was generally understood I was going to be leaving after Brazil 2014.
I hope Del Bosque stays as manager of Spain because I don't think there is a better man for the job.
"I want to thank everyone involved in that team for the way they treated me and the respect and I could not wish for a better time as an international."
http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/28654486 [ 此帖被羅力亞在2014-08-05 19:40重新編輯 ]
