Barcelona striker David Villa ruled himself out of the running for a place in Spain's squad for Euro 2012 on Tuesday after failing to fully recover from a broken leg.
Villa (pictured), Spain's all-time leading scorer, broke his left leg while competing in the Club World Cup with Barca in December, and has not played a competitive match since then.
"I tried right to the end but I wasn't able to get to 100 percent for the Euros," Villa said on his official Twitter feed.
"Today I called the coach to tell him. It was the most honest thing to do. Thanks to all of you for your support."
The Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) broke the news with an earlier statement.
"After failing to achieve the desired progress in recent training sessions, Villa spoke with Del Bosque," the RFEF said. "(He) told him although he would like to be with the team in Poland and Ukraine, his physical state 'isn't the best' for a competition like the Euros.
"The RFEF and Spain's coaching staff wish the player all the best in his recovery and hope he will return soon to the national team, and value the effort made by David to get back to full fitness."
Villa has scored 51 goals in 82 national team appearances for Spain helping it victory at Euro 2008 and in the World Cup finals in 2010.
His Spanish international team mates were quick to send messages of support on their Twitter accounts.
Reuters in Madrid
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