Rio Ferdinand has retried from international football. The Manchester United defender announced this morning leaves international football with 81 caps, having gone to 3 World Cups.
Ferdinand was the youngest defender to ever play for his country when he made his debut against Cameroon, in 1997. Controversy has surrounded his recent years with the England squad however, as Roy Hodgson did not select him for Euro 2012 – an act many saw as one to avoid controversy between Ferdinand and John Terry, who had been charged with racially abusing Ferdinand’s brother, Anton – and was reported as telling passengers on the London underground that Ferdinand would not play for England under him again.
In March Ferdinand rejected a call up for the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro and his retirement now removes the possibility of any further controversy surrounding his selection.
Ferdinand said he felt the time was right to step aside and allow the next generation of English internationals to come into the side. “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,” he said in a statement released this morning.
Hodgson said: “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 14 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.”
