Rio's not going to Rio as United defender retires from international football

By John Drayton

PUBLISHED: 02:05 EST, 15 May 2013 | UPDATED: 07:32 EST, 15 May 2013

Rio Ferdinand has decided to retire from international football after 16 years representing England.

The Manchester United man, who became his country's youngest ever defender when he made his debut at Wembley in November 1997, says that he wants to concentrate on his club career.

The 34-year-old featured in three World Cups, though never appeared at a European Championship, and won 81 caps in total, the last of which came against Switzerland in 2011.

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Rio Ferdinand
End of the road: Rio Ferdinand has retired from international football with England

End of the road: Rio Ferdinand has retired from international football with England after 16 years' service

Rio Ferdinand has quit England duty

Rio Ferdinand has quit England duty

Reflecting on his decision, he said: 'After a great deal of thought, I have decided the time is right for me to retire from international football.

'At the age of 34, I feel it is right for me to stand aside and let the younger players come through, which allows me to concentrate on my club career.

'The team looks in great shape and there is an influx of young, talented players coming through the ranks which bodes well for the future.

'I regard it as a great honour and a privilege to have represented my country at every level from Under 17s upwards.

Through the years: Ferdinand has represented England at every level from Under 17s

Through the years: Ferdinand has represented England at every level from Under 17s

Through the years: Ferdinand has represented England at every level from Under 17s
Through the years: Ferdinand has represented England at every level from Under 17s
Rio Ferdinand

'I have always been very proud to play for England. I would like to wish Roy and the team all the best for future tournaments.

'A big thank you to all the fans, managers, coaching staff and players that I have worked alongside - the journey has been incredible.'

These statements contrast with Ferdinand's previous utterances, where he has said he would never retire from international football. In 2010 he said: 'You can't retire from England. I can't. I respect other people's decisions but I love playing for England.

'To stop doing it would take a big chunk out of my footballing life. Unless I am physically incapable of doing it, it is something I would not consider.'

And earlier this year - before his controversial pull-out against San Marino, he said: 'I'm no different to anyone else - I love playing for England. If I got picked I'd pack my bags and go straight there.'

Controversy: Ferdinand missed Euro 2004 following an FA charge over a missed drugs test
Controversy: Ferdinand missed Euro 2004 following an FA charge over a missed drugs test

Controversy: Ferdinand missed Euro 2004 following an FA charge over a missed drugs test

England manager Roy Hodgson added: 'It is important to pay tribute to someone of Rio’s stature and the achievements he had in a senior international career with England over 16 years at the highest level.

'To have captained his country, to play at three World Cups and indeed score in one of those, marks him out amongst a very special group of players.

'I appreciated the call from Rio to inform me of his decision, which clearly he had spent much time considering before reaching this point.

'I wish him all the best in his club career, and I’m sure the former managers he played under and every England fan will join me in thanking him for his service.'

Adrian Bevington, managing director of Club England, said: 'On behalf of The FA I'd like to thank Rio for his commitment to England. He came through the ranks from the U17s team and earned 81 senior caps for England, an amazing achievement.

Fall out: The John Terry race row overshadowed the latter stages of Ferdinand's international career

Fall out: The John Terry race row overshadowed the latter stages of Ferdinand's international career

Fall out: The John Terry race row overshadowed the latter stages of Ferdinand's international career

'He has had a great career with the national team and was part of three World Cup squads.

'Rio has explained his decision to the England manager Roy Hodgson and we wish him all the best for the future.'

Joey Barton, who earned a sole England cap against Spain in February 2007, gently ribbed Ferdinand over the announcement, suggesting he too was no retiring.

He wrote: 'Decided to announce my international retirement as well. I was honoured to represent my country for such a long, illustrious time. #sadtimes.

Adding: 'Decided to focus on being fit at club level. Hope everyone understands.'

He then tweeted a picture of a man fishing, with the caption, 'My favourite picture from my long, illustrious international career...'

RIO FERDINAND FACTFILE

1978: Born November 8, Peckham.
1995: Turns professional with West Ham.
1996: May - Makes West Ham debut as substitute in draw with Sheffield Wednesday.
1997: February - Scores first West Ham goal in defeat at Blackburn.
November - Becomes youngest defender to play for England when he makes debut against Cameroon at Wembley.
1998: Named in Glenn Hoddle's England World Cup squad but does not play at tournament in France.
2000: Left out of the England squad for Euro 2000 by Kevin Keegan. Makes British record £18million move to Leeds in November.
2002: Scores first England goal in 3-0 win over Denmark in World Cup second round.
July 21 - Leeds agree to sell Ferdinand to Manchester United for £29.1million, making him the world's most expensive defender.
2003: May - Earns first Premier League winner's medal.
October - Reported to the Football Association for failing to attend a drugs test, and left out of England squad for Euro 2004 qualifier against Turkey because of the controversy.
December 18 - Receives eight-month ban and £50,000 fine over missed drugs test.
2004: January 20 - Ferdinand begins his ban, which means he misses Euro 2004.
2005: August 8 - Agrees new four-year deal with United.
2007: November 21 - Absent through injury as England lose 3-2 to Croatia at Wembley and fail to qualify for Euro 2008.
2008: March 26 - Captains England for the first time and wins his 65th cap in 1-0 defeat in France.
May 15 - Signs new five-year United deal.
May 21 - Captains United to a Champions League final victory over Chelsea in a penalty shoot-out in Moscow.
2009: May 16 - United wrap up third successive Premier League title.
May 27 - Part of United team beaten 2-0 by Barcelona in Champions League final.
2010: February 5 - Succeeds John Terry as England skipper after Chelsea defender is stripped of post by manager Fabio Capello following allegations about Terry's private life.
June 4 - Ruled out of World Cup after injuring ligaments in his left knee in training.
2011: March 19 - Loses England captaincy to Terry, ahead of Euro 2012 qualifier against Wales.
May - Wins another Premier League title with United - his fifth. United lose 3-1 to Barca in Champions League final at Wembley.
2012: February - Rules himself out of the running to captain England after Terry is stripped of the duty pending the outcome of a July trial. Terry is due to answer a charge of racially abusing Ferdinand's brother, QPR defender Anton Ferdinand, but is later acquitted.
May 16 - Left out of England's squad for Euro 2012. He later writes on Twitter: 'Absolutely loved playing for england... to say I'm gutted is an understatement of the highest order...'
August 17 - Fined £45,000 by the FA for acknowledging a tweet which referred to Ashley Cole - who gave evidence in defence of John Terry in his trial - as a 'choc ice'.
December 9 - Struck by a coin thrown from the crowd at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium as United claim a 3-2 derby victory.
2013: March 5 - Escapes UEFA action after sarcastically applauding Turkish referee Cuneyt Cakir at the end of home defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League.
March 14 - Recalled to the England squad for World Cup qualifying matches against San Marino and Montenegro but pulls out four days later due to concerns over a long-standing back injury.
March 21 - Forced to defend his decision to fly to Qatar to work as a television pundit for England's game against San Marino. Hodgson responds by saying he will "wait and see" when asked about Ferdinand's international future.
May 15 - Announces his retirement from England duty.


ARCHIVE VIDEO: Ferdinand on pulling out of the England squad

 


 
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I too have decided, after much thought, to retire from international football.

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I think he has already been retired from international football, sweet of him to try and spin it to look like his decision though...

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Good decision Rio. It would probably get in the way of your twitering. Let footballers play football. By the way the fourth picture. He is probably looking at himself in the mirror.

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At least we won't have to read the DM's constant updates onj his "fall out" sith Terryand Hodgson any longer. We can get some peace.

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No great loss, he showed his true colours when he went to Qatar instead of playing for England. He spat his dummy out when he lost the captaincy, that he should never of had in the first place, he was given it because he plays for Man Utd and Capello was Fergies mate.

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Just need to get rid of Terry, Rooney and Cole and then get back to having team morale and no big time charlies

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The england set up is so poor I wouldn't volunteer to play for them myself

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Disgusting it sghould be an honor to play for your country you overpaid greedy pigs

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Excellent news for the English team!

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The amount of hate he get's on here is unreal. Are you all Terry fans i presume? Mugs #20

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