Wayne Rooney has retired from international football.
Some might say it’s come about three years too late, but there’s no denying that the pugnacious forward is one of England’s finest players of the last decade or so.
From those days as a precocious, balding youngster making waves at Euro 2004 to his recent iteration as Rooney 2.0, a somehow-no-longer-balding, peripheral figure who trundles around the pitch with all the pace and agility of a laundry basket, Wazza’s given everything for his country.
Even if that’s never been enough to push England into the important rounds of a major tournament, it’s hardly his fault.
After all, it shouldn’t be forgotten that no-one has scored more international goals for the Three Lions.
Still, there’s no pleasing everyone, and among the tributes there were many Twitterati who were quick to voice their disapproval of the Croxteth boy’s performances on the international stage.
Head over to PaddyPower.com for the latest Football BettingEven good old OptaJoe couldn’t resist getting in a sly dig:
1 – Wayne Rooney scored just one goal in 11 appearances at World Cup finals for England, despite attempting 21 shots overall. Unfortunate. pic.twitter.com/ndnKZkCiv5
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 23, 2017
Wayne Rooney announces his retirement from England duty ensuring he can't disappoint us again.
— Luce Coggs (@lucecoggs) August 23, 2017
All hail Sir Wayne Rooney leading the England side full force into failure year in year out and bagging goals in friendlies
— Jamie Powell (@jamiepowell07) August 23, 2017
I think Wayne Rooney will be easily forgot on the international stage
— Adam Smalley (@Small3) August 23, 2017
Ironic that Wayne Rooney might be hitting form for the first time in years and now he decides to retire from England. What a massive bellend
— Graham (@GSA219) August 23, 2017
BREAKING NEWS – Wayne Rooney retires from International Football.
9 months ago.
#Rooney #WayneRooney #England pic.twitter.com/K9R66DsQSP
— SpendItLikeBeckham (@officialsilb) August 23, 2017
You know what this means? World Cup pundit, Wayne Rooney ??? pic.twitter.com/5dDwOeHz13
— Shutts (@Shuttsapalooza) August 23, 2017
Things took a turn for the worse when Gary Lineker got involved:
I was stating a fact how dare you call me a buffoon. What has Wayne Rooney done at a World Cup? Exactly
— Carl H (@HodLord86) August 23, 2017
You ever played weekend league Gary?
— Jordan Bradley (@JordanBradley_x) August 23, 2017
Winning division 1 on Ultimate team is harder than scoring 53 goals for England let me tell you
— Shaun Myers (@ShaunyMyers) August 23, 2017
Good player but never world class. Went missing in big comps. England goals flatter him..how many pens and shite sides did he score against?
— Mike Bennell (@mikebennell) August 23, 2017
One good tournament and that was 13 years ago! Lineker must have been looking in the mirror during all the other tournaments or fake tanning
— Danniel Drinkmilk (@dannydrinkmilk) August 23, 2017
Still, it wasn’t all negative:
Wayne Rooney's England career has passed away. RIP u will live on forever. Cant believe it. I wanna run to u. Really cant believe this. @
— hrtbps (@hrtbps) August 23, 2017
Wayne Rooney was born a 30 year old. Complete with a receding hairline ? pic.twitter.com/vc8BZiDXjv
— Ms.Understood (@That_Nocks) August 23, 2017
Saunter leisurely over to PaddyPower.com for the latest Football bettingAfter a 119 caps and 53 Goals Wayne Rooney retires from International Football. Meanwhile today also… https://t.co/SeHNLqCvGb
— Brian (@Stoneysnapper) August 23, 2017