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England captain Steven Gerrard retires from international football England captain Steven Gerrard retires from international football
(35 minutes later)
Steven Gerrard has announced his international retirement with immediate effect, the Football Association has confirmed. Steven Gerrard has announced his international retirement after making 114 appearances in a career spanning 14 years.
The Liverpool captain, 34, made his debut in 2000 in a 2-0 win over Ukraine at Wembley and went on to win 114 England caps, scoring 21 times as he appeared in six major tournaments. The 34-year-old, who captained England during the disappointing World Cup campaign, said he had “agonised” over the decision since returning from Brazil. “This has been a very difficult decision, one of the toughest I’ve had to make in my career,” he told FATV. “I have agonised over this since coming back from Brazil and have spoken to family, friends and people close to me in the game before coming to this point.
“I have enjoyed every minute of representing my country and it is a sad day for me knowing that I won’t pull on the England shirt again,” said Gerrard. “However, I do look forward to continuing my strong relationship with the FA and helping out in any way I can going forward. I’d like to firstly thank my family and friends for all their support throughout my England journey. “Most importantly, Brendan [Rodgers, his manager at Liverpool] has been fantastic and obviously I have to look after my body as much as possible to ensure I can give everything when I take to the field. To ensure I can keep playing to a high level and giving everything to Liverpool I believe this is the right decision, and having Champions League football back at Anfield is another big factor in my decision.”
“I’d also like to thank everyone who has been part of my international career, from the England managers I’ve played under to the staff at the FA and, of course, all the players I’ve been fortunate to play alongside,” Gerrard added. “In particular, the supporters have been amazing, not least in Brazil when they got behind the team despite the disappointing results. Gerrard made his debut in 2000 in a 2-0 win over Ukraine at Wembley and went on to play in six major tournaments, scoring 21 times. He captained the side 38 times and is the third most-capped England player behind Peter Shilton (125) and David Beckham (115).
“I’d especially like to thank Roy [Hodgson], firstly for giving me the captaincy permanently when he took the job, making me the proudest man in the country and allowing me to fulfil my childhood dream. He has been very understanding over the past few weeks and is a man I will always hold in the highest regard. “I’d like to firstly thank my family and friends for all their support throughout my England journey,” Gerrard said. I’d also like to thank everyone who has been part of my international career, from the England managers I’ve played under to the staff at the FA and, of course, all the players I’ve been fortunate to play alongside.
“This has been a very difficult decision, one of the toughest I’ve had to make in my career. I have agonised over this since coming back from Brazil and have spoken to family, friends and people close to me in the game before coming to this point. “In particular, the supporters have been amazing, not least in Brazil when they got behind the team despite the disappointing results.
“Most importantly, Brendan [Rodgers] has been fantastic and obviously I have to look after my body as much as possible to ensure I can give everything when I take to the field. “I’d especially like to thank Roy [Hodgson], firstly for giving me the captaincy permanently when he took the job, making me the proudest man in the country and allowing me to fulfil my childhood dream. He has been very understanding over the past few weeks and is a man I will always hold in the highest regard.”
“To ensure I can keep playing to a high level and giving everything to Liverpool Football Club I believe this is the right decision, and having Champions League football back at Anfield is another big factor in my decision.” Hodgson was faced with a rebuilding programme after England failed to win a match in Brazil but admits he will be sad to see Gerrard, whom he managed briefly during a short stint at Anfield, go. “While I’m disappointed in the decision I can entirely understand Steven’s situation and can have no complaints given the incredible service he has given to his country,” Hodgson said. “I must respect his wishes due to the discussions we have had and the amount of thought and consideration he himself has given it.
“He is an incredible man and a fantastic footballer who we have all been blessed to see in an England shirt so often. It is never by coincidence that people reach such a staggering figure as 114 caps, it is a mark of his wonderful talent allied to a huge drive and determination to live up to the highest standard.
“He is not only a player to bring crowds to their feet with moments of brilliance; he was a tremendous captain and an exceptional role model for everyone who was fortunate to come into contact with him. We shall miss his leadership qualities as we look ahead to the qualification campaign with a youthful group of players. I wish him all the best in the future, although I know I can count on his continued support and influence as a helpful presence moving forward.”
The FA chairman, Greg Dyke, paid tribute to the midfielder, whom he described as an “England great”.
“It is sad news but also gives us the opportunity to celebrate a wonderful career; Steven gave everything for England and he will be missed,” he said. “I saw at first hand his close relationship with Roy, and as a captain he could not have done more for the cause.
“He played at the highest level over such a long period of time – his longevity and determination will see him remembered by everyone as an England great.”