Wayne Rooney announces retirement from international football with England: 'I believe now is the time to bow out'

Everton forward informed England manager Gareth Southgate of his decision during phone call to announce his recall for upcoming World Cup qualifiers

Wayne Rooney, left, makes his England debut in a friendly against Australia at West Ham's Upton Park in East London on February 12, 2017. Martin Hayhow / AFP

Wayne Rooney, centre, celebrates his first goal for England against Macedonia during their Euro 2004 qualifying match at the City stadium in Skopje, on September 6, 2003. Dimitar Dilkoff / AFP

England's Wayne Rooney, centre, scores his second goal of the match as Switzerland's Murat Yakin (5) and Ricardo Cabanas defend during their Euro 2004 Group B match at the Cidade de Coimbra Stadium, in Coimbra, Portugal, Thursday, June 17, 2004. Michael Probst / AP Photo

Argentinian referee Horacio Elizondo shows the red card to England forward Wayne Rooney, left, during the World Cup 2006 quarter-final against Portugal at Gelsenkirchen stadium in Germany on July 1, 2006. Patrik Stollarz / AFP

England’s Wayne Rooney, right, and Brazilian player Lucimar da Silva in action during the friendly international match in Doha, Qatar on Saturday November 14, 2009. Hanson K Joseph / AP Photo

England striker Wayne Rooney looks dejected after Germany won the 2010 World Cup last- 16 match on June 27, 2010 at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Francois-Xavier Marit / AFP

England forward Wayne Rooney, centre, and teammates react after being defeated during the Euro 2012 quarter-final to Italy on June 24, 2012 at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev. Carl de Souza / AFP

England forward Wayne Rooney, right, scores past Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera during the Group D football match at the Corinthians Arena in Sao Paulo on June 19, 2014, during the 2014 World Cup. Nelson Almeida / AFP

England striker Wayne Rooney, centre, celebrates after scoring from the penalty spot, his 50th goal for England, making him the country's all-time goal scorer, during the Euro 2016 qualifying Group E match against Switzerland at Wembley Stadium in west London on September 8, 2015. Glyn Kirk / AFP

England forward Wayne Rooney, centre, is tackled by Slovakia midfielder Marek Hamsik during the 2018 World Cup match in Trnava on September 4, 2016. Joe Klamar / AFP

Everton's Wayne Rooney applauds fans before the Premier League match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Rooney scored his 200th Premier League goal as the game finished 1-1. Phil Noble / Reuters

Wayne Rooney, England's all-time top scorer, has announced his immediate retirement from international football.

No outfield player has played more times for England  than the 31-year-old forward, who netted a record 53 goals in 119 appearances for his country.

England manager Gareth Southgate phoned Rooney on Tuesday to say he wanted to include the forward in his upcoming squad following his fine start to life back at boyhood club Everton.

However, the former Manchester United captain will play no further part for his country after informing Southgate of his decision to quit international football for good in the same phone conversation.

In a statement released to Press Association Sport, Rooney said: "It was great that Gareth Southgate called me this week to tell me he wanted me back in the England squad for the upcoming matches. I really appreciated that.

"However, having already thought long and hard, I told Gareth that I had now decided to retire for good from international football.

"It is a really tough decision and one I have discussed with my family, my manager at Everton and those closest to me.

"Playing for England has always been special to me. Every time I was selected as a player or captain was a real privilege and I thank everyone who helped me.

"But I believe now is the time to bow out.

"Leaving Manchester United was a tough call but I know I made the right decision in coming home to Everton. Now I want to focus all my energies on helping them be successful.

"I will always remain a passionate England fan.

"One of my very few regrets is not to have been part of a successful England tournament side.

"Hopefully the exciting players Gareth is bringing through can take that ambition further and I hope everyone will get behind the team.

"One day the dream will come true and I look forward to being there as a fan - or in any capacity."

It is 14 and a half years since the wide-eyed 17-year-old striker burst onto the scene for England, making his debut in a friendly against Australia at Upton Park in February 2003.

Rooney's first international goal followed against Macedonia that September and the following summer his outstanding performances led to a place in the Euro 2004 team of the tournament.

The forward was unable to match those individual displays at a major competition, despite going onto play in three World Cups and two further European Championships.

Rooney has, though, left an indelible mark on the national game.

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Rooney - just as he would later do with Manchester United - usurped Bobby Charlton as England's all-time top scorer with his penalty against Switzerland in September 2015.

Rooney replaced David Beckham as the country's most capped outfield player the following September in Slovakia - ahead of which he announced his intention to retire after the 2018 World Cup.

That decision looked to be taken out of Rooney's hands when England manager Southgate dropped his captain in his first matches as permanent manager in March.

But leaving United for Everton has led to an immediate upturn in form and fortunes, making Southgate ready to recall the long-serving forward for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia.

Yet despite being within touching distance of Peter Shilton's record 125-cap haul for England, Rooney has decided to walk away with what already is a remarkable record.

Captaining his country to a 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over old foes Scotland last November proved his final appearance.

The subject of Rooney's retirement is sure to dominate the agenda when Southgate announces his squad for the upcoming matches at St George's Park on Thursday.