Soccer: Spanish captain to quit after Cup

Spain captain Fernando Hierro will bring his 13-year international career to an end when his team complete their campaign.

"It's a very difficult moment for me," the 34-year-old central defender said yesterday.

Remarkably for a defender, Hierro is Spain's leading international goalscorer as well as being the country's most capped outfield player.

He made his debut in September 1989 in a 1-0 win over Poland and has played 88 games for the full international side, scoring 29 goals.

Hierro has appeared at four cups, dating back to 1990.

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