Rooney calls time on international career

England record-scorer Wayne Rooney called time on his often tempestuous international soccer career on Wednesday, retiring from duty after spurning an offer to return to the squad.

“I believe now is the time to bow out,” the former England captain said in a statement. “I will always remain a passionate England fan.”

A return to form since leaving Manchester United to go back to Everton in the off-season had seen England manager Gareth Southgate approach Rooney about returning for World Cup qualifiers. But the 31-year-old striker has decided to focus on his club career, quitting England duty with a record 53 goals in 119 appearances — more than any other outfield player.

“It was great 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,” Rooney said. “However, having already thought long and hard, I told Gareth that I had now decided to retire for good from international football.”

Rooney never progressed beyond the quarterfinals of a tournament with England. His struggles on the international stage often saw him cast as the fall guy for his country’s inability to come close to adding to its lone title in the 1966 World Cup.

English Football Association chairman Greg Clarke called Rooney, who broke Bobby Charlton’s 45-year England scoring record in September 2015, “an icon of his generation and an undoubted legend of the game. It goes without saying that Wayne has deservedly earned the right to forever be called a Three Lions great,” Clarke said. “I know it was always a huge honour for Wayne to pull on the England shirt and led his country as captain with great pride.”