Frank
Lampard has announced that he has decided to retire from international
football after making 106 appearances for England.
The 36-year-old former Chelsea man, who recently joined Manchester City on
loan from New York City FC, scored 29 goals during a distinguished 15-year
international career.
He played at the last three World Cups and was named England player of the
year in 2004 and 2005.
However, he has now decided to follow his long-time midfield partner Steven
Gerrard into international retirement, two weeks before qualifying begins
for Euro 2016.
Lampard released a statement which read: “I have taken the decision to
retire from international football.
“It has been a very tough decision for me to make, which is why I have given
it so much thought since the World Cup.
“I have always been exceptionally proud and honoured to represent my country
and have to say, looking back, I have enjoyed every minute of wearing the
England shirt."
Lampard left Chelsea at the end of last season after a trophy-laden 13-year
spell with the London club.
And he added: “Due to my club career now going in a different direction, it
is of the utmost importance for me to consider my family first and also to
concentrate on how I can perform consistently to the best of my abilities
over my next few years in club football.
“It is now the time to move forward and I feel very confident that, with Roy
Hodgson in charge, the young players that we have coming through, and the
changes that are being made throughout the development of the youth system
in this country, we will have success in the future and a team that this
country deserves.
“I would like to thank all the managers that I have worked under, all the
players that I have been fortunate enough to play alongside, and all the
England fans for their support, not only at home but particularly on their
travels with the team around the world.
“I now look forward to continuing to support the team as a fan and wish them
every success for the upcoming campaign towards France 2016.”
Lampard made his debut for England in a friendly victory over Belgium in
October 1999 and scored three goals in four matches as they reached the
quarter-finals of Euro 2004.
He played every minute at the 2006 World Cup but was one of three players to
miss a penalty in the quarter-final shoot-out loss to Portugal.
England exited the 2010 tournament at the second-round stage after a 4-1
loss to Germany, during which Lampard famously had a shot which replays
showed crossed the goal-line when it bounced down off the crossbar, only for
the officials to fail to award a goal.
He was named vice-captain of the squad for this summer's World Cup in Brazil
and made his one appearance when he led the side for the 0-0 draw with Costa
Rica which concluded their campaign, as they crashed out at the group
stages.
Lampard retires as England's ninth highest scorer of all-time and the fifth
most-capped outfield player.
Roy Hodgson's side will now have to move on without Gerrard and Lampard, and
the manager will name his next squad and a new captain on Thursday, ahead of
a Wembley friendly against Norway (3 September) and the first Euro 2016
qualifier in Switzerland (8 September).
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