Alonso leaves international scene

Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso has announced his retirement from international football.

The 32-year-old was a member of the Spain squads which won the World Cup in 2010 and European Championships in 2008 and 2012 during a sustained period of dominance – but that run came to an end with a miserable World Cup in Brazil this summer as they were dumped out before the group stages had even concluded.