In a surprise announcement, Sergio Ramos announced his retirement from the Spain national football team, leaving his coach Luis de la Fuente in the lurch.

Ramos is regarded as one of the most important captains of his country’s football team and holds the record for most appearances, having played 180 times in the past 18 years with the Spanish national emblem on his chest.

The 36-year-old, now a football player, said he was told by the technical management that he was not counted on. “It’s time, time to say goodbye to the national team, our beloved and exciting Reds,” Ramos wrote on his personal social media accounts. “This morning the coach called me and said that he does not count me and that he will not count, no matter what level I can play or how I continue my sports career.”

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Ramos made his debut for the Spanish national team in 2005 when he was still a teenager. He was part of the team that won the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.

He was left out of the squad both at the last Euro and at last year’s World Cup, where Spain were unexpectedly eliminated from Morocco. Then coach Luis Enrique left and was replaced by Luis de la Fuente.

“Most regrettably, this is the end of a journey that I hoped would be longer and end with a better taste in the mouth, the culmination of all the success we have had with the Reds. I humbly believe that this career deserved to end because of a personal decision or because my performance would not be at the level that our team deserves, and not because of age or other reasons that, without hearing them, I felt,” added the Paris Saint-Germain footballer.

“Because being young or less young is not a virtue or a disadvantage, it is only a temporary characteristic that is not necessarily related to performance or ability. I look with admiration and envy at Modric, Messi, Pepe… essence, traditions, values, meritocracy and fairness in football. Unfortunately for me this will not be the case because football is not always fair and never is only football. I accept all this with sadness that I want to share with you, but also with my head held high and very grateful for all these years and for all your support.”

“I take with me the lasting memories, all the titles we fought for and celebrated together, and great pride in being the most successful Spanish player. This shield, this shirt and this fan, you all made me happy. I will continue to applaud my country from home with the emotions of a privileged person who managed to proudly present it 180 times. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all those who have always believed in me!”