Wayne Rooney's England retirement: 10 good, bad and ugly moments which sum up his international career

  • Wayne Rooney has announced his retirement from England international duty
  • Rooney has had one of the most extraordinary Three Lions careers of all time
  • He made his debut at 17 and is England's youngest ever goalscorer
  • However he only scored once in World Cup finals and courted controversy 

Since making his England debut in 2003, Wayne Rooney has had one of the most extraordinary international careers of all time.

In some moments he showed why he is regarded as one of the best ever to wear the Three Lions. At other times he courted controversy, or failed to live up to massive expectations.

Here are the top 10 defining moments from Rooney's England career, confined to events on the pitch...

Wayne Rooney retired from England duty with respect and high numbers but with no glory 

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

International debut


Rooney played for England for the first time on February 13, 2003 - he was their youngest debutant at the time, a record since surpassed by Theo Walcott. A historic moment at Upton Park, it was overshadowed by opponents Australia earning a shock 3-1 win. 

Rooney played for England for the first time on February 13, 2003, in a 3-1 loss to Australia

Rooney played for England for the first time on February 13, 2003, in a 3-1 loss to Australia

Youngest scorer

Rooney's goal against Macedonia in a Euro 2004 qualifier made him England's youngest scorer of all time, at the tender age of 17 years and 317 days. 

Rooney's goal against Macedonia (above) made him England's youngest scorer of all time

Rooney's goal against Macedonia (above) made him England's youngest scorer of all time

Euro 2004 v Croatia

With England needing a win to guarantee progress out of the group stage, it was the irrepressible Rooney who scored twice in a thrilling 4-2 victory. Earlier he set the record for the youngest scorer at the Euro finals with a double against Switzerland.

Rooney's 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

Euro 2004 v Portugal

Just as it looked as if Rooney would dominate in Portugal and steer England to glory, a broken foot suffered early in the quarter final ended his tournament. England lost on penalties.

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

2006 World Cup red card

Injured going into the tournament in Germany, a half-fit Rooney struggled to make an impact and was sent off in the last eight match for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho. England lost on penalties - again.

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

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

Algeria rant

After failing to qualify for Euro 2008, England went into the 2010 World Cup with high hopes. However an awful tournament was summed up by a dire 0-0 draw with Algeria, and Rooney complaining about the fans on camera at the final whistle. He later apologised.

After England's goalless draw with Algeria, Rooney criticised the fans at the final whistle

After England's awful draw with Algeria, Rooney criticised the fans after the final whistle

Winner v Ukraine

After missing the first two games of Euro 2012 through suspension, Rooney rode to the rescue against hosts Ukraine, scoring the only goal as England topped their group.

After missing the first two games of Euro 2012, Rooney scored the winner against Ukraine

After missing the first two games of Euro 2012, Rooney scored the winner against Ukraine

Only World Cup goal

Incredibly, Wayne Rooney will only ever have scored once in a World Cup - against Uruguay in 2014. England lost 2-1, as they did in the opener against Italy, and finished bottom of the group. 

England players have found it easy to hide behind the shadow of Wayne Rooney 

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

50th England goal

A superb penalty against Switzerland meant Rooney - now captain - on his 107th cap, finally succeeded where Gary Lineker and Jimmy Greaves failed and broke Sir Bobby Charlton's international goal 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

Final goal v Iceland

Rooney's 53rd and final international goal came via a penalty to put England 1-0 up against Iceland in Euro 2016. Iceland came back to win 2-1 and dump England out in one of their most humiliating defeats ever. 

Rooney;s final international goal came against Iceland - eventually a humiliating defeat

Rooney;s final international goal came against Iceland - eventually a humiliating defeat

WAYNE ROONEY'S ENGLAND CAREER IN NUMBERS 

By Press Association Sport 

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. 

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. 

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.

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 two red cards in his international career.

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