Most assumed that Xabi Alonso wouldn't be seen in a Spain shirt again after the country's stunning World Cup exit, but the Spanish FA decided to go ahead and make it official anyway. In a letter on the Sefutbol website, Alonso announced his decision to walk away from international football.

Alonso has been a fixture through multiple generations of the Spanish national team, and was an equal participant in both the country's most disappointing teams and its greatest teams ever. Though his national team career didn't start strong, he was a fixture in the Spain teams that won Euro 2008, Euro 2012 and the 2010 World Cup. His 115 caps are 5th most in Spain's history.