LONDON: England's record goalscorer Wayne Rooney announced on Wednesday he is retiring from international football with immediate effect, despite England manager Gareth Southgate telling him he had earned a recall.
The 31-year-old — scorer of 53 goals in 119 appearances for his country — told Southgate of his decision during a phone conversation.
"Having already thought long and hard, I told Gareth that I had now decided to retire for good from international football," said Rooney in a statement sent to Press Association Sport.
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