England’s record goalscorer Wayne Rooney announced his retirement from international football on Wednesday. A look at some of the reactions that streamed in following the decision:

“It is a fantastic career, sometimes he has been criticised but fact is fact – the games he has played and goals he has scored. If I was the manager I would try to convince him to delay it (the international retirement) until after the next World Cup.”
– Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who gave Rooney his debut in 2003 and for whom he shone at Euro 2004, to Sky Sports.

“You do know as an international player when you have reached the point of no return. Sometimes you want to jump before you are pushed. I would have loved him to have gone to Russia and led England at a fourth World Cup but he has had 13 great years and he will know in his heart and head that it makes sense to concentrate on Everton.”
– Former England captain Terry Butcher, capped 77 times.

“Today marks the end of an era in international football. Wayne Rooney is an icon of his generation and an undoubted legend of the game. As his country’s all-time leading goalscorer and most-capped outfield player, it goes without saying that Wayne has deservedly earned the right to forever be called a Three Lions great.”
– FA Chairman Greg Clarke.

Praise from most corners

Rooney in Numbers

Well, one can never escape criticism

But, he had plenty of support