That is the view of the record-breaking goalscorer’s former team-mate Eric Dier.
Rooney, 31, has quit England duty to concentrate on his club career following his return to Goodison Park after 13 glorious years with Manchester United.
And on the question of whether the former England captain has made the right decision, Tottenham’s Dier said: “I’m not going to disagree with Wayne.”
But as he prepares to play against England’s leading scorer on Merseyside next weekend, Dier said: “I’m sure Wayne knows himself a lot better than I do, but I thinkit’s really sad for English football.
“He’s been a fantastic player for England for so many years and broken so many records.
“But what people don’t see is the kind of thing Wayne would do with myself, Dele Alli and the other young players when they come to England for the first time.
“The way he would look after us was fantastic.
“You never really imagine, when you come away with England, that there’s Wayne Rooney and he’s looking out for you.
“I guess people don’t see much of that kind of thing.
“I thought he was brilliant in that way with all of us and he’ll be really missed in that sense as well.
“It’s really sad, isn’t it? It’s the end of an era and Wayne was such a fantastic player.
“But I’m sure he knows himself well. That was the decision he wanted to make and I just wish him well for the future.”
In the 119 games Rooney, 31, played for his country he scored 53 times.
And Dier rejects any suggestion that the likeable Scouser had nothing left to offer England head coach Gareth Southgate, as his side aim to seal qualification for the World Cup in Russia next summer.
He admits, though, that people like his club-mate Dele Alli have the chance to emerge from Rooney’s shadow.
Dier said: “I don’t think Wayne was holding us up or anything but obviously there is now the chance for other players to try to step into those shoes – and they are pretty big shoes.
“It’s the players who are here and those who are trying to break into the squad who have to try to bring England on.”
