World Cup winner Andres Inietsa has announced his retirement from international football after Spain crashed out of the World Cup.
The 34-year-old was surprisingly benched for Spains' last 16 tie with Russia on Sunday, but came on and scored a penalty in the shootout eventually won by the World Cup hosts.
Iniesta was part of the Spanish side that won back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012 while also scoring the winner as they won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Sunday's loss to Russia was Iniesta's 131st game for his country, but not the way he wanted to bring the curtain down on a glittering international career.
He said on www.sefutbol.com: "Sometimes the finals are not how you dream them.
"It's true that it is my last match with the national team, on a personal level it's the end of a magnificent phase. Overall, I think it's the saddest day of my career."
He leaves a big hole to fill, but said of the national team: "There are replacements, players are there, the important thing is to find the way to success again.
"It's not easy, it's more complicated than it seems, but the national team will continue."
The Spanish FA said: "Spanish football will miss you. Thank you for everything, Andres."
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