Scholes quits international soccer.
Tuesday, 3 August 2004 15:36Paul Scholes today stunned the football world by announcing that he has quit international football with England.
The 29-year-old midfielder, who won his 66th and final cap in the Euro 2004 quarterfinal against Portugal, said he felt the time was right to call it a day.
The news will come, as a massive shock to under-fire England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson who felt Scholes was one of his most important players.
"This is a decision I have not taken lightly," said Scholes. "I have been considering retiring from international football for a while now."
Scholes came under-fire for his performances in Portugal, with some pundits believing his presence in the team restricted Eriksson from selecting Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard in their favoured positions.
Eriksson said that he was very sorry that Scholes had decided to retire from international football.
He continued "Paul is a great player who has given so much to England over the last seven years. He has a very special talent and it has been a privilege working so closely with him."
Filed by Eilish Barry
