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Stunned David de Gea was 'congratulated on his retirement from Spain duty despite having no intention to quit after his World Cup snub'... with the country's FA chief texting the Manchester United star to tell him he was 'glad' to hear the false news

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea was left bemused by a congratulatory message from the Spanish FA on his retirement from international duty - despite being yet to hang up his gloves.

The 32-year-old was left out of La Roja boss Luis Enrique's final 26-man World Cup squad, with Unai Simon, Robert Sanchez and David Raya taken instead.

A veteran of 45 appearances for his country over six years, De Gea reportedly received a message of congratulations from Luis Rubiales, the head of the Spanish FA, over text.

Head of the Spanish FA Luis Rubiales sent De Gea congratulations for making the 'decision'

The Man United keeper's last appearance came in October 2020 against Ukraine

Journalist Jose Alvarez told Spanish outlet El Chiringuito: 'De Gea has been a bit of a strange subject.