SERGIO RAMOS has suggested several Spain players could call time on their international career after they were knocked out of the 2018 World Cup by Russia in a penalty shoot-out earlier today.
Spain were not all that convincing in the group stages but, with a squad which boasts several Champions League and top flight winners, they were still regarded as one of the favourites to at least reach the latter stages.
Up against World Cup hosts Russia, Spain looked in complete control and had the large majority of possession but they found themselves in a penalty shoot-out situation after the two sides couldn’t be separated after 120 minutes.
And Igor Akinfeev broke Spanish hearts after saving penalties from Koke and Iago Aspas to send the 2010 world champions crashing out of the tournament.
Attention immediately switched to which of the current Spain squad would likely feature again for their country in a major tournament.
Ramos, Gerard Pique, David Silva, Nacho Monreal, Pepe Reina and Andres Iniesta are all over the age of 30 and the latter announced after the Russia game that he will retire from international duty.
And Ramos suggests there could be more to follow the former Barcelona midfielder.
When asked whether it was an end of an era, he said: “Hopefully not. We have a team who can keep dreaming.
“Despite the criticism and doubts in the group stage, we redeemed ourselves today.
“There will be players who come back and others who leave, but they’ll always have this pride.”
Ramos, among other Spanish players, could be see slumped to the ground with tears in their eyes after seeing Aspas’ penalty saved.
But he believes his country can be proud of the effort from the players, despite Spain now not winning a knockout game at the World Cup since 2010.
“Losing is very tough to take. Whenever you’re eliminated, it’s very painful,” Ramos said.
“The team did everything possible, we were eager to redeem ourselves as a national team.
“We couldn’t do any more. We left our souls on the pitch and played with pride. We gave everything.
“They took us to penalties, which was the only way they could cause us problems. We had possession of the ball, but penalties are a lottery and we lost.
“It’s a very tough blow to take, but every Spaniard will feel proud. We feel more Spanish if we lose like this.”
Source:www.express.co.uk