Overview
- Llorente announced his retirement from the Spain national team in a social media post on Thursday, September 3, saying he had decided to end his international career after long reflection.
- The Atlético Madrid midfielder and occasional right back finishes with 27 caps and a 2026 World Cup winners’ medal after a roughly six-year senior Spain career that began in November 2020.
- He stressed the decision was not driven by his reduced minutes late in the World Cup or by the tournament’s outcome, and he described the choice as personal and deeply felt.
- At the 2026 World Cup Llorente started early group matches but saw Pedro Porro reclaim the right-back spot and made only brief appearances later in the tournament.
- Spanish coaches and fans now face a roster change as the reigning world champions plan ahead for the next cycle while Llorente redirects his energy and availability to Atlético Madrid’s season.