A magnificent international career – Lineker and Owen lead Rooney tributes

Former England strikers Gary Lineker and Michael Owen led the tributes after Wayne Rooney confirmed his retirement from international football.

Rooney had been given the chance to return to Gareth Southgate’s squad for the first time since November 2016, but instead opted to walk away ahead of next year’s World Cup in Russia.

The Everton forward, a former captain of his country, retires as England’s all-time leading goalscorer after hitting 53 goals in his 119 appearances for the Three Lions.

Here, we round up the best of the reaction to Rooney’s decision.

53 goals. 119 games. Forever a #ThreeLions legend.

Thank you, @WayneRooney. pic.twitter.com/j5iT6XHJKz

— England (@England) August 23, 2017

England’s highest ever goalscorer calls it a day. Congratulations to @WayneRooney on a magnificent international career. A player’s player.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 23, 2017

Congratulations on an incredible @England career! https://t.co/hpBwoPwvre pic.twitter.com/7FuSSEOnWT

— Everton (@Everton) August 23, 2017

Brilliant timing. Always great to go out on top. Well done @WayneRooney an International career to be proud of.

— michael owen (@themichaelowen) August 23, 2017

 

@England’s all-time leading scorer @waynerooney has retired from international football after turning down the chance to be part of the England squad for next month’s #WorldCup qualifiers. The @everton striker scored 53 times in 119 games. #Rooney #England #Wazza #ThreeLions #legend

A post shared by FIFA (@fifaworldcup) on Aug 23, 2017 at 5:28am PDT

@WayneRooney – an amazing player and goalscorer for @England. A three lions legend.  pic.twitter.com/qrYlYbyTCu

— Harry Kane (@HKane) August 23, 2017

Wayne Rooney has been a national treasure and now he’s hung up the international boots EFC will benefit immensely!!!  Class 

— Kevin Campbell (@1kevincampbell) August 23, 2017

Well done on a record-breaking @England career, @WayneRooney! https://t.co/H07zmCIdJm

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 23, 2017

A fantastic @England player who always gave his all. @WayneRooney helped me loads when I got into the squad. An @England legend. #Rooney  pic.twitter.com/AR30GIq9lw

— Chris Smalling (@ChrisSmalling) August 23, 2017

Magnificent international career and great start to season. Still got so much to offer. https://t.co/fUHzEpLbHw

— Danny Higginbotham (@Higginbotham05) August 23, 2017