England’s record goalscorer Wayne Rooney has announced his retirement from international football with immediate effect.
The 31-year-old Everton striker represented his country for 14 years, making his debut against Australia at the age of 17.
The former Manchester United captain scored 53 times in 119 internationals
Wayne Rooney said in a statement: “It was great that Gareth Southgate called me this week to tell me he wanted me back in the England squad for the upcoming matches [against Malta and Slovakia]. I really appreciated that. However, having already thought long and hard, I told Gareth that I had now decided to retire for good from international football.”
Southgate phoned Wayne Rooney on Tuesday to say he wanted to include the forward in his upcoming squad following a fine start to life back at his boyhood club Everton. The former Manchester United captain informed England’s manager of his decision to quit international football in the same conversation.
“It is a really tough decision and one I have discussed with my family, my manager at Everton and those closest to me,” Rooney added in his statement. “Playing for England has always been special to me. Every time I was selected as a player or captain was a real privilege and I thank everyone who helped me. But I believe now is the time to bow out.
“Leaving Manchester United was a tough call but I know I made the right decision in coming home to Everton. Now I want to focus all my energies on helping them be successful.
“I will always remain a passionate England fan. One of my very few regrets is not to have been part of a successful England tournament side.
“Hopefully the exciting players Gareth is bringing through can take that ambition further and I hope everyone will get behind the team. One day the dream will come true and I look forward to being there as a fan – or in any capacity.”
The 31-year-old’s career was a mixture of highs and lows after he truly burst on the global scene as a teenager at Euro 2004, and Rooney will forever be associated with an outstanding group of club players who could not replicate their domestic and European success at international level.
Rooney did not score at a World Cup until his third attempt – eventually netting against Uruguay in Brazil in 2014 – but he was also a player who carried England on so many occasions and his place in the history books is testimony to his outstanding contribution over so many years.
Dreams can come true and playing for @England has been exactly that. Thanks to everyone involved it’s been amazing – https://t.co/GfiT7oVCpx
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) August 23, 2017