De la Fuente: I tried to convince Busquets to keep playing for Spain

Sergio Busquets announced on Friday his retirement from the Spanish national team. The Spain captain will no longer defend La Roja after the early elimination at the World Cup in Qatar 2022. His farewell coincides with that of the coach, Luis Enrique, who has been replaced on the bench by Luis de la Fuente, who has spoken about the 'departure' of the Barcelona midfielder.

"I had the privilege of receiving a call yesterday in which he informed me that he had made that decision. I tried to convince him (otherwise), but he is a man with clear ideas and he had made the decision. I could only respect that," De la Fuente explained in an event held at the headquarters of the Spanish Olympic Committee.

De La Fuente added: "I want to acknowledge the extremely important role, the legacy that Busquets has left in Spanish football. It's a shame that he wants to close the chapter at an international level. That's how I conveyed it to him, but I fully respect his decision and support it. He is one of the important parts of Spanish football, for what he has achieved on the field and for his behaviour off it."

An undisputed starter for the previous boss Luis Enrique, the new coach is already looking to a future without the Barça player.

"It is a huge loss, but football continues and we will have to think about possible replacements -- there are very good ones," De la Fuente said. "Although they will have to go a long way to reach the level of what Busquets has achieved.

"There are players who have already occupied that position, like Rodri, but we are following other players and there are others who will have their chance. There is still time until March to see the evolution of the players."