Rooney was made England captain at the age of 28, shortly after he was made club captain at Manchester United.

England’s all-time leading goalscorer Wayne Rooney has retired from international football after turning down the chance to be part of the squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers.

By: Phil McNulty/ BBC Sport’s chief football writer | Photo Courtesy of: Getty Images

ANALYSIS

Rooney retires from international football as England’s record goalscorer – and perhaps with his contribution undervalued.

The 31-year-old’s career was a mixture of highs and lows after he truly burst on the global scene as a teenager at Euro 2004, and Rooney will forever be associated with an outstanding group of club players who could not replicate their domestic and European success at international level.

“He performed selflessly, often in unfamiliar roles, and his commitment was unquestioned.”

Rooney did not score at a World Cup until his third attempt – eventually netting against Uruguay in Brazil in 2014 – but he was also a player who carried England on so many occasions and his place in the history books is testimony to his outstanding contribution over so many years.

He performed selflessly, often in unfamiliar roles, and his commitment was unquestioned. For all the occasional demands for Rooney to be dropped during his England career, there was rarely much proof they would have been a better team without him.

England’s lack of success during his time on the international scene will always be a source of frustration and regret, but history may be kinder to Rooney on reflection upon an stellar career.