Rooney calls time on England despite recall

AFP, LONDON: England's record goalscorer Wayne Rooney announced on Wednesday he is retiring from international football with immediate effect after manager Gareth Southgate tried to recall him to the squad.

The 31-year-old -- scorer of 53 goals in 119 appearances for his country -- told Southgate of his decision during a phone conversation on Tuesday.

Southgate had phoned Rooney -- who had lost both the captaincy and eventually his place in the squad under Jose Mourinho at Manchester United last season -- to congratulate him on his early season performances for new club Everton.

Rooney has looked rejuvenated and happy -- scoring in both their Premier League matches so far -- since he re-signed for the club that nurtured his talent as a teenager before he left for United.

“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,” said Rooney in a statement sent to Press Association Sport.

“Having already thought long and hard, I told Gareth that I had now decided to retire for good from international football.

Rooney, England's most capped outfield player, said his sole purpose now in football is to ensure Everton win trophies.

He had alluded to his priorities in a post-match interview on Sky Sports on Monday after he matched Alan Shearer in scoring 200 Premier League goals -- made sweeter as it came against Manchester United's local rivals Manchester City.

Another former England great, Gary Lineker said earlier on Wednesday that Rooney had been unlucky to be the only world-class player in many England sides that struggled to make an impression on either the world or European stage.

Rooney passed Bobby Charlton as England's all-time top scorer against Switzerland in September 2015.

But despite being within touching distance of Peter Shilton's record of 125 caps for England, he opted against chasing yet another international milestone.

Captaining England to a 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over rivals Scotland last November proved to be Rooney's final appearance for his country.

Figures from English football were quick to pay tribute to the star.

“Congratulations to @WayneRooney on a magnificent international career. A player's player,” said Lineker on Twitter.

Rooney calls time on England despite recall

AFP, LONDON: Englands record goalscorer Wayne Rooney announced on Wednesday he is retiring from international football with immediate effect after manager Gareth Southgate tried to recall him to the squad. The 31-year-old -- scorer of 53 goals in 119 appearances for his country -- told Southgate of his decision during a phone conversation on Tuesday. Southgate had phoned Rooney -- who had lost both the captaincy and eventually his place in the squad under Jose Mourinho at Manchester United last season -- to congratulate him on his early season performances for new club Everton. Rooney has looked rejuvenated and happy -- scoring in both their Premier League matches so far -- since he re-signed for the club that nurtured his talent as a teenager before he left for United. 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, said Rooney in a statement sent to Press Association Sport. Having already thought long and hard, I told Gareth that I had now decided to retire for good from international football. Rooney, Englands most capped outfield player, said his sole purpose now in football is to ensure Everton win trophies. He had alluded to his priorities in a post-match interview on Sky Sports on Monday after he matched Alan Shearer in scoring 200 Premier League goals -- made sweeter as it came against Manchester Uniteds local rivals Manchester City. Another former England great, Gary Lineker said earlier on Wednesday that Rooney had been unlucky to be the only world-class player in many England sides that struggled to make an impression on either the world or European stage. Rooney passed Bobby Charlton as Englands all-time top scorer against Switzerland in September 2015. But despite being within touching distance of Peter Shiltons record of 125 caps for England, he opted against chasing yet another international milestone. Captaining England to a 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over rivals Scotland last November proved to be Rooneys final appearance for his country. Figures from English football were quick to pay tribute to the star. Congratulations to @WayneRooney on a magnificent international career. A players player, said Lineker on Twitter.