Iker Casillas will run for the presidency of the Spanish Football Federation, he confirmed on Monday.
What prompted the decision?
The 38-year-old goalkeeper has informed his current club Porto of his decision, with retirement from playing expected.
He led Spain to their first World Cup triumph in 2010.
Why it matters for Iker Casillas
Casillas is considered one of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation, with 167 appearances for Spain.
He won two Euros in 2008 and 2012, and made over 700 appearances for Real Madrid.
What comes next?
The election date has not yet been decided, but Casillas will go up against current incumbent Luis Rubiales for the post.
He was named in the FIFA FIFPro World XI five years in a row between 2008 and 2012.
But last April, he suffered a heart attack during training and has not played another competitive match since.
Casillas had been linked with the RFEF presidency for several months.
We are working with the utmost respect and determination in our candidacy, added Casillas.
More than 23,000 voters are waiting for us in fair and transparent elections.
The 139 assembly members will decide.
Rubiales has been in conflict with Javier Tebas, the president of La Liga, over issues including fixtures on Monday and Friday nights.
According to the rules, the elections should be held in the second half of this year after the Tokyo Olympics.
But Rubiales has requested they be brought forward, before Euro 2020, which will run from 12 June to 12 July.