"The issue of age is the same for veterans as it is for youth", Ancelotti on Ramos' international retirement

The 36-year-old

recently announced his retirement from international football. Ramos played in 180 matches for Spain but was left out of their squad for Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.

Ancelotti who worked with Ramos at

between 2013 and 2015, believes the age of players is not an important factor and that

defender still has plenty to offer.

"The issue of age is the same for veterans as it is for youth,"

he said.

"If a player complies, he does not have to look at the passport.

"If at 17 he deserves to play, let him do it. He doesn't have to play if he doesn't deserve it or if he's not better than another, the same with a 37-year-old player.

"A coach has to evaluate what happens on the field every day, in each training [session], if the player is well and can meet, no matter the age. Through thick and thin, it never has to be something to make a decision, in my opinion.

"Sometimes, they tell me I don't use the academy and forget that I put [Gianluigi] Buffon in at the age of 17 at the beginning of my career. It was because he was very good, better than others.

"The Champions League has been won by a 39-year-old player like [Paolo] Maldini, who trained once a week and played because he was better than others, period. If you are better than others, you have to play."

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