Wednesday 23 August 2017 17:57, UK
Gary Neville thinks Wayne Rooney should be remembered for the desire he showed whenever he represented England.
The Everton forward announced his international retirement on Wednesday and ends his England career as his country's record goalscorer with 53 goals from 119 caps.
Rooney will now focus on Everton having re-joined his boyhood club from Manchester United.
Neville, who worked with Rooney in the England set-up during the Roy Hodgson era, believes England fans will hold Rooney in high-regard for the commitment he showed to the shirt.
"Quite simply [we should remember him] as somebody who every time he was picked he gave his all," Neville told Sky Sports News.
"The goals and all the rest of it come on top of that, but [he was] somebody who fought for his country every time he played, gave his absolute maximum, and did everything he possibly could to help England win a tournament. I think that ultimately will be the biggest disappointment of Wayne Rooney's career with England.
"The reality of it is he will be remembered as somebody who gave his all, with fantastic spirit, and with high quality."
Neville also believes the decision is the best for all concerned, including manager Gareth Southgate ahead of the 2018 World Cup.
When asked by Sky Sports News if Rooney has made the right call, Neville said: "There are very few personalities in English football, I think you can go back to maybe David Beckham before him, Paul Gascoigne before that, it can become a huge strain not just on the player, but also on the manager and the coaching staff, that every time the squad announcement comes up the question is whether Wayne Rooney is going to be in the team.
"I think it can drain everybody, and I think for that reason it's probably the right decision for everybody."