Players that RETIRE from international football.....totally lose any respect I had for them...if your country needs you, you should be ready and willing until your unable.
He should have left it until after the World Cup that's for sure. The timing is a bit strange but it is his decision at the end of the day.
If he is not good enough he doesn't need to announce his retirement as he wouldn't get picked anyway if he is still good enough he should be proud to continue to play if and when called upon.....Jermaine Defoe just went about things when it seemed he was no longer needed and then when he was needed he stepped up again and did what he could.
I think it's disrespectful to players that are now called up because some will wonder if they are only there because of Rooney's 'retirement'.
I'm not sure why you've got such a Bee in your Bonnet about it Weighty! Personally I don't give a ****e about the England National team!
Shearer retired because England had retired all morals and appointed a Swede, if the FA had of appointed an Englishman I don't think Shearer would have retired and I respect his decision, other than that exception I don't agree with anyone 'retiring' from representing the Country.
Drop it Weighty, with respect! We all know too many sportsmen who go on and on, lose form, lose the passion, basically, grow old and can become rather sad cases, struggling to find those elusive magical skills.
Far better to make way for promising Youth.....just like ITFC!!
