Everton forward Wayne Rooney announces England retirement

However, the former Manchester United captain will play no further part for his country after informing Southgate of his decision to quit international football for good in the same phone conversation.

53 goals. 119 games. Forever a #ThreeLions legend.

Thank you, @WayneRooney. pic.twitter.com/j5iT6XHJKz

— England (@England) August 23, 2017

In a statement released to Press Association Sport, Rooney said: “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.

Rooney also said that while leaving Manchester United was a difficult decision, he knows he made the right one in coming home to Everton.

“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.”

Dreams can come true and playing for @England has been exactly that. Thanks to everyone involved it’s been amazing – https://t.co/GfiT7oVCpx

— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) August 23, 2017

The striker burst onto the scene for England as a 17-year-old, debuting in a friendly against Australia at Upton Park in February 2003.

Rooney’s first international goal followed against Macedonia that September, and the next summer his outstanding performances led to a place in the Euro 2004 team of the tournament.

The forward was unable to match those individual displays at a major competition despite going on to play in three World Cups and two further European Championships.

Rooney has, though, left an indelible mark on the national game.

The 31-year-old — just as he would later do with Manchester United — usurped Sir Bobby Charlton as England’s all-time top scorer with his penalty against Switzerland in September 2015.

Rooney replaced David Beckham as the country’s most capped outfield player the following September in Slovakia — ahead of which he announced his intention to retire after the 2018 World Cup.

That decision looked to be taken out of Rooney’s hands when England manager Southgate dropped his captain in his first matches as permanent manager in March.

But leaving United for Everton has led to an immediate upturn in form and fortunes, making Southgate ready to recall the long-serving forward for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia.

Yet despite being within touching distance of Peter Shilton’s record 125 caps for England, Rooney has decided to walk away.

Captaining his country to a 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over old foes Scotland in November proved his final appearance.

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