David Silva calls time on his international career

Manchester City star David Silva has called time on his illustrious career by announcing his retirement from international football aged 32. The Spanish play maker represented his country on 125 occasions, scoring 35 times in an international career that spanned 12 years.

David Silva was instrumental in helping La Roja lift their first World Cup title in 2010, and also played an important part in back-to-back European Championship triumphs in 2008 and 2012. 

While the 2017/18 season was an excellent one for Manchester City as a club, it was a slightly contrasting one for David Silva.The 32-year-old's retirment decision also comes with the desire to spend more time with his seven-month old son Mateo, who was born was born prematurely in December.

The Spain midfielder penned an emotional letter to call it a day and focus on his club-career. He stated the decision to retire was "one the most difficult of my career", but at the same time he was "very proud" of his achievements with La Roja.

"It is not easy, after everything I have experienced, to sit down and write this letter,"

"There have been days and weeks of reflection and analysis to make the decision to finish my time in the Spain national team. Without a doubt it is one of the hardest decisions in my career. 

"The national team has given me everything and has allowed me to grow as a player and as a person from my first days in the youth set-up. I leave with pride after playing 125 games and scoring 35 goals in a 12-year spell where we lifted the World Cup and two European Championships."

"I leave happy with all I have achieved, experienced and dreamed with a team that will be remembered forever, and I have ended an era filled with emotion from all those moments that come to my mind, like the figure of Luis Aragones, a teacher that none of us will ever forget."

David Silva becomes the third Spain star after Andreas Iniesta and Gerrard Pique to hang up his boots following the nation's World Cup last-16 exit at the hands of hosts Russia.