Wayne Rooney announces retirement from England duty as he backtracks over World Cup 2018 finale: 'I believe now is the time to bow out'

  • Striker Wayne Rooney is England's all-time record goalscorer with 53 goals
  • He has announced international retirement to concentrate on Everton career
  • Rooney said Gareth Southgate wanted to recall him to the Three Lions squad 
  • The 31-year-old won 119 caps  - the last of which came in November last year

By Sami Mokbel and Ian Ladyman for the Daily Mail

Published: | Updated:

Wayne Rooney brought the curtain down on his England career on Wednesday, only weeks after saying he wanted to play in next year's World Cup.

This country's record goalscorer made the shock announcement the day before Gareth Southgate was due to name him in his squad for the forthcoming qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia.

The decision surprised England fans and Southgate, given that Rooney had stressed after moving from Manchester United to Everton last month that he was keen to go to next summer's finals in Russia.

Calling time: Wayne called time on his England career by announcing international retirement

Wayne Rooney has called time on his England career by announcing international retirement

Club: He is England's all-time record goalscorer with 53 goals - but will focus on his club career

Rooney is England's all-time record goalscorer with 53 goals - but will focus on his club career

Rooney pictured on his debut against Australia in 2003
Rooney's last Three Lions appearance came against Scotland in November 2016

The striker pictured on his debut against Australia in 2003 (left) and on last appearance (right)

ENGLAND'S ALL-TIME RECORD GOALSCORERS 

Wayne Rooney 53

Bobby Charlton 49

Gary Lineker 48

Jimmy Greaves 44

Michael Owen 40

Tom Finney 30

Nat Lofthouse 30

Alan Shearer 30 

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Southgate decided to recall the 31-year-old after seeing him score his second Premier League goal in two games at Manchester City on Monday night. 


The England coach let it be known to Rooney's camp on Tuesday that he would be in the squad but Rooney called Southgate to tell him he had decided to retire from the international game.

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

'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.'

Flight: He is pictured on Wednesday boarding a flight to Croatia for a Europa League tie

Rooney is pictured on Wednesday preparing to board a flight to Croatia for a Europa League tie

The 31-year-old climbs the stairs on the same day he confirmed his international retirement 

The 31-year-old climbs the stairs on the same day he confirmed his international retirement 

Recall: Gareth Southgate wanted to recall him for the games against Malta and Slovakia

Gareth Southgate wanted to recall him to the squad for the games against Malta and Slovakia

Inform: He informed the Three Lions boss that he wants to concentrate on playing for Everton

Rooney informed Three Lions boss Southgate he wants to concentrate on playing for Everton

Goals: His two-goal showing against Croatia in Euro 2004 was one of his greatest games ever

Rooney's two-goal showing against Croatia in Euro 2004 was one of his greatest games ever

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.

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Sources close to Rooney said he had agonised over the decision for a couple of weeks before deciding that the absence of international commitments would help prolong his club career. He also wanted to step down while he was still playing at a high level.

On the domestic front, his wife Coleen is pregnant with the couple's fourth child.

Rooney added: 'It was great that Gareth Southgate called this week to tell me he wanted me back in the England squad. 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. 

'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.'

Winner: Since making his debut, he has had one of the most extraordinary England careers

Since making his debut, Rooney has had one of the most extraordinary England careers

Foot: He suffered a broken foot in the Euro 2004 quarter final, which England lost on penalties

Rooney suffered a broken foot in the Euro 2004 quarter final, which England lost on penalties

Sent off: After coming into the 2006 World Cup half-fit, he was sent off for a stamp vs Portugal

After coming into the 2006 World Cup half-fit, Rooney was sent off for a stamp vs Portugal

TRIBUTES TO ONE OF ENGLAND'S FINEST

TERRY BUTCHER - Former England captain

You do know as an international player when you have reached the point of no return. Sometimes you want to jump before you are pushed. He has had 13 great years and he will know that it makes sense to concentrate on Everton.

SVEN GORAN ERIKSSON - Ex-England boss 

 He still can play in the national team. It’s a pity he will miss the next World Cup. If I was manager I would try to convince him to delay it until after. I hope he will change his mind to come back for the World Cup. England still need him.

SIR BOBBY CHARLTON - World Cup winner (speaking after Rooney broke his scoring record) 

Wayne is a fine young man. Once when he hadn’t scored for a little while, United were playing at Hull and before the game I said just let fly when you get a sight of goal. In it went. He has been a first-class ambassador for England and United.

JOHN TERRY - Former England captain 

A leader on and off the pitch, who led by example and demanded the very best from your team-mates. Your drive to win will be a huge loss for our country. I’m gutted for you that you won’t break the record for England appearances. Legend.

GARY LINEKER - Former England captain 

England’s highest ever goalscorer calls it a day. Congratulations to Wayne Rooney on a magnificent international career. A player’s player. 

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Rooney scored 53 goals for England during a record-breaking career that began as a 17-year-old against Australia in 2003.

But his place in the England set-up had been under increased scrutiny over the past 12 months owing to a lack of regular first-team football during his final months at United.

Similarly, the emergence of Harry Kane as England's first-choice striker, and in all likelihood new long-term captain, placed further doubt on Rooney's position.

Southgate's predecessors Roy Hodgson and Sam Allardyce used Rooney in midfield in a bid to accommodate him.

Southgate had been forced to deal with constant questions regarding Rooney's place in his plans since he took the bold decision to drop the forward for a World Cup qualifier against Slovenia last October.

Family: Rooney said, 'It is a really tough decision and one I have discussed with my family' 

Rooney said: 'It is a really tough decision and one I have discussed with my family' 

One time: Rooney will only ever have scored once in a World Cup - against Uruguay in 2014

Rooney will only ever have scored once in a World Cup - against Uruguay in 2014

Record: Rooney broke Sir Bobby Charlton's scoring record with a perfect penalty at Wembley

Rooney broke Sir Bobby Charlton's scoring record with a perfect penalty at Wembley

Passing on the baton: Charlton presents Rooney with a gold-plated commemorative boot after he broke the record 

Charlton presents Rooney with a gold-plated commemorative boot after he broke the record 

Humiliating defeat: The Everton star's final international goal came against Iceland - eventually a humiliating defeat

Everton star's final international goal came against Iceland - eventually a humiliating defeat

ROONEY'S STATEMENT 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.

'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.' 

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