Manchester City's Spanish midfielder David Silva has announced his retirement from international football.
The 32-year-old has won 125 caps for his country - the last of which came in the round-of-16 defeat to Russia in this summer's World Cup - and has scored 35 goals since making his debut 12 years ago.
Silva, who made his first senior appearance for Spain in November 2006 under the late Luis Aragones, missed several games for his club in December and January after his son Mateo was born extremely prematurely.
In a letter to fans posted on his Twitter account, Silva said: "It is not easy, after all I've lived through, to sit and write these lines. It has been days and weeks of reflection and analysis to take the decision to end my era in the Spanish national team
"Without a doubt it's been one of the most difficult choices of my career, which I make with gratitude and humility.
"The national team has given me everything and allowed me to grow as a footballer and person since [playing in] the youth categories.
"I'm putting an end to an era charged with emotion from all the moments that come to mind, like the figure of Luis Aragones, a master whom we will never forget."
Fellow Spaniards Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique have also retired from international football following the World Cup.
