The 34-year-old, who was capped 133 times during a 14-year
international career, was part of Spain's golden generation that saw the nation
collect three major trophies.
Xavi played a significant role as Spain won
back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012, while adding the World
Cup in South Africa in 2010.
At the Euro finals of 2008 he was named the player of the
tournament.
His final campaign for the national team ended in disappointment
with Spain failing to progress beyond the group stage in Brazil last month as
they suffered defeats by the Netherlands and Chile.
He made his international debut in 2000, the same year he
helped Spain win an Olympic silver medal in Australia.
Xavi, who has confirmed he will see out the final two years
of his Barcelona contract, said: "I’m grateful for all those years and it
has been a fantastic time.
"I'm grateful to everybody at the Federation, it's been
a marvellous time for me to be there for so many years and have so much
success.
“I'm leaving very proud and I wish them all the best. From
now on I'm another fan of the Spain team.”
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