Rooney hangs up big boots
Calls time on his illustrious international career
London, Aug. 23: England’s record goalscorer Wayne Rooney announced on Wednesday he is retiring from international football with immediate effect after manager Gareth Southgate tried to recall him to the squad.
The 31-year-old — scorer of 53 goals in 119 appearances for his country — told Southgate of his decision during a phone conversation on Tuesday.
Southgate had phoned Rooney — who had lost both the captaincy and eventually his place in the squad as he became a peripheral figure under Jose Mourinho at Manchester United last season — to congratulate him on his early season performances for new club Everton.
Rooney has looked rejuvenated and happy — scoring in both their Premier League matches so far — since he resigned for the club that nurtured his talent as a teenager before he left for United.
“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,” said Rooney in a statement sent to Press Association.
“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 (Ronald Koeman) 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,” he said.
Rooney, England’s most capped outfield player, said his sole purpose now in football is to ensure Everton win trophies. ‘ICON OF HIS GENERATION’ Another former England great, Gary Lineker said earlier on Wednesday that Rooney had been unlucky to be the only world-class player in many England sides that struggled to make an impression on either the world or European stage.
“One of my very few regrets is not to have been part of a successful England tournament side,” said Rooney, whose four goals in Euro 2004 propelled England to the quarterfinals before their hopes were extinguished when he broke a bone in his foot in the last-eight clash against hosts Portugal.
“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.”
Figures from English football were quick to pay tribute to Rooney. —
I think only now he is ducking out will he get the credit he truly deserves as an England player and the record goalscorer. — ALAN SMITH Former England
striker It is a fantastic career, sometimes he has been criticised but fact is fact — the games he has played and goals he has scored. If I was the manager I would try to convince him to delay it (the international retirement) until after the next World Cup. — SVEN-GORAN ERIKSSON Ex-England
manager