To shock the entire footballing world, Wayne Rooney, England’s all-time top scorer, has announced his immediate retirement from international football.
England manager Gareth Southgate called Rooney on Tuesday to say he wanted to include the striker in his upcoming squad after his start to life back at boyhood club Everton.
However, the Manchester United legend will no longer feature for his country after informing Southgate of his decision to quit international football for good in the same phone conversation.
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.”
“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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