Wayne Rooney to retire from international football after 2018 World Cup

Wayne Rooney of England applauds the supporters after his team's 1-2 defeat in the UEFA EURO 2016 round of 16 match between England and Iceland at Allianz Riviera Stadium on June 27, 2016 in Nice, France
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England captain Wayne Rooney announces that he will retire from international duty after the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

England captain Wayne Rooney has confirmed that he will retire from international duty after the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The Manchester United striker is England's highest ever goalscorer and is set to become the most-capped outfield player in Three Lions history against Slovakia on Sunday.

However, the 30-year-old believes that the end of the World Cup in two years' time will be the right moment to call an end to his record-breaking international career.

"Come Russia, I feel that that would be time for me to say goodbye to international football. Obviously it is up to Sam [Allardyce], but if that is where my England career comes to an end, it will be after some highs and some lows but as an immensely proud man," he told reporters.

"I started playing international football at 17, so at 32, in two years' time, I will have been playing at that level for 15 years and I think that is a good time to finish."

Rooney, who has scored 53 goals in 115 appearances for his country, is expected to surpass Peter Shilton (125) as the most-capped England player of all time.

Has Wayne Rooney fulfilled his potential with England?

Yes
No
Yes
57.1%
No
42.9%
Wayne Rooney of England applauds the supporters after his team's 1-2 defeat in the UEFA EURO 2016 round of 16 match between England and Iceland at Allianz Riviera Stadium on June 27, 2016 in Nice, France
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