[Archive 2017-08-24] England's top scorer Wayne Rooney retires from international football

Historical archive — originally published 2017-08-24. This report records what was known on that date. It is not current news; subsequent events may have changed the situation. Wikinews closed in May 2026.

Yesterday, English football player Wayne Rooney announced retirement from international football via his official website.

In his official statement, Rooney, who left Manchester United to join Everton FC last month, said it was time to "bow out" and wanted to "focus all my energies on helping them [Everton FC] be successful." Rooney announced his decision just after England's manager Gareth Southgate called him on phone asking him to play in the upcoming matches against Malta and Slovakia. Rooney said he had "already thought long and hard" to retire from international duties.

In 2003, Rooney made his international debut in a friendly match against Australia at the age of seventeen, becoming then-youngest player to play for England. Since then, Rooney has won 119 international caps with England. Only Peter Shilton has more appearances for the Three Lions. 31-year-old Rooney is England's all-time top goalscorer netting 53 goals.

Rooney has played in three FIFA World Cup tournaments — 2006, 2010 and 2014. At the continent level, Rooney has played in three UEFA Euro tournaments — in 2004, 2012 and 2016. Rooney did not win any trophies with England in the FIFA as well as Euro tournaments. Last year, England lost to Iceland in the Last 16 of the UEFA Euro 2016 in France. Rooney scored the only goal for England. Iceland defeated the English 2–1. Since 2014, Rooney has been the England's captain. His last game for England as a captain on November 11 ended in a 3–0 over Scotland.

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