Time was right to bow out, says Wayne Rooney

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

No outfield player has won more Three Lions caps than the 31-year-old, who netted a record 53 goals across 119 appearances for his country.

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