David de Gea 'bemused' by message from Spain FA chief after retirement confusion

David de Gea was left 'bemused' after receiving a congratulatory message from the Spanish FA on his retirement - as the Manchester United shot-stopper is yet to hang up his gloves.

The 32-year-old failed to make the cut for Luis Enrique's final 26-man World Cup squad behind the likes of Unai Simon, Robert Sanchez and David Raya but has still not given up hope of adding to the 45 caps he has already won for his country.

However, journalist Jose Alvarez told Spanish outlet El Chiringuito that the former Atletico Madrid man received a text message from Luis Rubiales, the head of the Spanish FA, congratulating him on his international career.

Alvarez, as translated by Sport Witness, revealed: "De Gea has been a bit of a strange subject. Suddenly he disappeared from the call ups a few months ago and Luis Enrique did call David to tell him he was not going to count on him. He told him that it was a technical decision. Obviously, David asked him what the reason was, but he was not given any further explanation.

"A few days later David receives a message from [Luis] Rubiales, president of the Federation, who says "David I am glad that you have finally made the decision you have been thinking about. I have already been told that you are leaving the national team".

"To this David replies, 'Sorry? There is no renunciation of anything, who has told you that I renounce anything? The coach has told me that he is not going to count on me, but I have never renounced the national team, nor do I intend to do so, that is if I am called up'.

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"He was a bit surprised by the communication between Luis Enrique and Rubiales and the message that arrived from Rubiales afterwards."

Alvarez went on to outline that De Gea still believes he is capable of 'contributing' for Spain - even though his last appearance for the national team came over two years ago in a match against Ukraine.

While De Gea has slipped down the pecking since then, he has been in inspired form for Manchester United and was the club's standout player during their calamitous Premier League campaign last year.

However, there is still scrutiny over his long-term future at the club; De Gea is due to be a free agent in the summer and has struggled to cope with the demands of playing a more progressive role with the ball at his feet - a trait valued by his new Old Trafford boss, Erik ten Hag, who has so far refused to be drawn on the prospect of handing the shot-stopper an extended deal.

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