England Captain, Wayne Rooney, Retires From International Football

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FILE PHOTO: Britain Football Soccer - England v Scotland - 2018 World Cup Qualifying European Zone - Group F - Wembley Stadium, London, England - 11/11/16 England's Wayne Rooney applauds fans after the game Reuters / Eddie Keogh Livepic

Wayne Rooney has called time on his England career after a glittering 14-year spell with the national team which saw him become their all-time record goalscorer. In a statement released by the Everton striker on Wednesday, the former Manchester United star confirmed he no longer wants to be considered for international duty. No outfield player has won more Three Lions caps than the 31-year-old, who netted a record 53 goals across 119 appearances for his country.

In the forward’s statement he said Gareth Southgate wanted to recall him to the squad for the forthcoming games against Malta and Slovakia. But the forward respectively declined — instead informing the England boss he wants to concentrate on playing for Everton. His statement read in full:

‘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. I really appreciated that,’ he said in his statement.

‘However, having already thought long and hard, I told Gareth that I had now decided to retire for good from international football.

‘It is a really tough decision and one I have discussed with my family, my manager at Everton and those closest to me.

‘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.’ 

It is 14 and a half years since the wide-eyed 17-year-old striker burst onto the scene for England, making his debut in a friendly against Australia at Upton Park in February 2003. Rooney’s first international goal followed against Macedonia that September and the following summer his outstanding performances led to a place in the Euro 2004 team of the tournament.

The forward was unable to match those individual displays at a major competition, despite going onto play in three World Cups and two further European Championships.  Rooney has, though, left an indelible mark on the national game.

The 31-year-old — just as he would later do with Manchester United — usurped Sir Bobby Charlton as England’s all-time top scorer with his penalty against Switzerland in September 2015.

WAYNE ROONEY’S ENGLAND CAREER IN NUMBERS 

119 – Appearances for England, the most by an outfield player and only six shy of goalkeeper Peter Shilton’s all-time record.

71 – England wins in which Rooney appeared, with 29 draws and 19 defeats.

53 – Rooney’s England-record goal haul.

7 – Only seven of his goals have come at the final stages of international tournaments, four of them as an 18-year-old at Euro 2004.

1 – He has scored only once at a World Cup, against Uruguay in 2014.

6 – Rooney has played in six major tournaments, with England missing Euro 2008.

22 – He has led England out as captain 22 times, as well as seven other occasions when he has worn the armband for part of a game.

17 – Rooney made his international debut as a substitute in a friendly against Australia in February 2003 aged 17 years and 111 days – an England record at the time, since surpassed by Theo Walcott.

45 – Sir Bobby Charlton held the England scoring record for 45 years before Rooney reached his half-century in 2015.

6 – Rooney played under half a dozen England managers – Sven-Goran Eriksson, Steve McClaren, Fabio Capello, Roy Hodgson, Sam Allardyce and Gareth Southgate.

12 & 2 – Having been famously sent off against Portugal in the 2006 World Cup and again in a Euro 2012 qualifier in Montenegro, Rooney also has 12 yellow cards in his international career.

Credit: Daily Mail