Alan Shearer: Wayne Rooney Should Retire From England NT

Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer believes that Wayne Rooney should retire from the England National Team in order to focus on his Manchester United career.

Alan Shearer himself quit international duty when he was 29 years old, and went on to become one of the most prolific goal scorers in the league, a path which he thinks Wayne Rooney should also opt for.

Wayne Rooney is currently England’s all-time highest goal scorer, and is set to become the country’s most capped outfield player, as he was called up for England’s match against Slovakia this Sunday.

The Manchester United striker has worn the England armband ever since the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and even captained his national side in the Euro 2016 which took place last month.

However, Alan Shearer, who was also England’s captain at one point, believes that Wayne Rooney could be jeopardizing his club career if he continues playing for the national team.

Shearer wrote in his column in The Sun:

“It is time for Rooney to be selfish and start thinking just about himself. And that, I really regret to say, means his retirement from international football.”

He went on to say that he believes Rooney should make this decision not because he doubts his abilities, but rather to improve his club performances.

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“I don’t say this in the belief that he is no longer good enough for England – he is. But he is 30 now and captaining your club and country, satisfying the demand to play at the top level for both, gets harder.”

Shearer continued:

“I retired in 2000 aged 29. Much of that was down to three serious injuries. Some people said I was being selfish. I knew my body better than anyone and simply could not do it any more for club and country.

“If I had gone on there would have come a time when I would have been dropped because I couldn’t satisfy the physical demands. So I decided to cut my England career short to avoid that day and also so I could give my best to Newcastle.

“I played on until I was almost 36 and would not have been able to do that had I played any longer for England.

“It is time for him to acknowledge that he simply can’t keep doing both – and I mean that for his own good.”

 

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