World Cup winner Llorente retires from Spain duty at 31

Harry Archie September 3, 2026

Spain and Atlético Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 31, just weeks after helping the country win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Llorente announced his decision on social media on Thursday, saying he had thought about it for a long time and that the decision was personal.

The midfielder said his decision was not influenced by whether he was selected for the World Cup or whether Spain won the tournament.

“I had already made this decision,” Llorente said, explaining that he knew he was still young and could have continued playing for the national team.

Llorente made his Spain debut in 2020 and went on to win 27 caps. He was part of the squad that beat Argentina 1–0 in the World Cup final to lift the trophy.

He also played in the 2026 tournament, making a brief appearance in Spain’s 2–0 quarter-final victory over France.

The Atlético Madrid player thanked his teammates, coaches and supporters for the opportunity to represent Spain and described his time with the national team as a source of great pride.

His retirement means Llorente will no longer be available for Spain as the team begins preparations for the next international cycle.

At club level, Llorente remains an important player for Atlético Madrid, where he has been used in several positions, including midfield and right-back.

His decision has surprised many supporters because of his age and the fact that he has just won football’s biggest international trophy. However, Llorente made clear that his decision had been reached before the World Cup and was not a reaction to the tournament.