Andres Iniesta has announced his retirement from international football following Spain’s World Cup exit.

The 34-year-old, who scored Spain’s match-winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final, confirmed his decision after La Roja’s last-16 loss to Russia in Moscow.

Iniesta scored Spain’s opening penalty in the shoot-out against the host nation but was powerless to prevent his side losing 4-3 on spot-kicks – having drawn the match 1-1 – and tumbling out of the tournament.

The playmaker, who recently left Barcelona to join Japanese side Vissel Kobe, won 131 caps for Spain.

He said on www.sefutbol.com: “Sometimes the finals are not how you dream them.

“It’s true that it is my last match with the national team, on a personal level it’s the end of a magnificent phase. Overall, I think it’s the saddest day of my career.”