2010 World Cup champions say goodbye to active football

Spain's 2010 World Cup winners Albiol, Pedro Rodríguez, Ramos and Mata are retiring from professional football after the 2023–24 season.

The last four surviving members of Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning squad are ending their playing careers. Albiol (41), who left Pisa, and Pedro Rodríguez (39), whose contract with Lazio expired on 30 June, will announce their retirements in the coming days. Sergio Ramos and Juan Mata are also stepping away from active football. Their departures mark the end of an era for Spanish football, with earlier World Cup winners like Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Andrés Iniesta and David Villa having already transitioned into coaching roles.