Real Madrid legend and Paris Saint-Germain defender Sergio Ramos has announced his retirement from international football after being forced out by the new head coach of the Spain national team, Luis de la Fuente.

The former Sevilla man made the announcement in a long statement released on Tuesday evening, stating it is time to bid goodbye to the national team after he was told by coach Fuente that he is not in his plan going forward.

“The time has come, the time to say goodbye to the National Team, our beloved and exciting Red,” the FIFA World Cup winner said.

He continued: “This morning I received the call from the current coach who told me that he doesn’t count and that he won’t count on me, regardless of the level I can show or how I continue my sporting career.”

Obviously upset about the decision to force him out, Ramos felt he should have been allowed to make the decision about his retirement personally, while suggesting he deserved the same level of respect shown to Messi, Modric and Pepe at the national team level.

“I think that that career deserved to end because of a personal decision or because my performance was not up to what our National Team deserves, but not because of age or other reasons that, without having heard them, I have felt.”

“I look with admiration and envy at Modric, Messi, Pepe… the essence, tradition, values, meritocracy and justice in football. Unfortunately it won’t be like that for me, because football is not always fair and football is never just football.”

Ramos’ stint with the Spain senior national team ends after 18 years, appearing 180 times for La Roja, winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, and two UEFA European Championship in 2008 and 2012. 

Meanwhile, he vowed to continue supporting the national team while thanking everyone who were part of his wonderful journey.

“I will continue to cheer on my country from home with the emotion of the privileged person who has been able to proudly represent it 180 times. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you who always believed in me!,” he concluded.