FOOTBALL - EUROPEAN LEAGUES Discussion Thread #5 (2017/18) - Page 23

England's all-time leading goalscorer Wayne Rooney has retired from international football after turning down the chance to be part of the squad for next month's World Cup qualifiers.

The Everton striker was asked by England boss Gareth Southgate to be involved against Malta and Slovakia.

"Every time I was selected was a real privilege but I believe now is the time to bow out," said the 31-year-old.

The former Manchester United captain scored 53 times in 119 internationals.

Rooney, overlooked by Southgate for matches against Scotland and Spain in June, made his England debut in February 2003, in a 3-1 defeat by Australia at Upton Park.

He made his major tournament debut as an 18-year-old at Euro 2004.

Rooney's announcement comes two days after he scored his 200th Premier League goal in Everton's 1-1 draw at Manchester City.

Rooney's statement in full

It was great Gareth Southgate called me this week to tell me he wanted me back in the England squad for the upcoming matches. I really appreciated that.

However, having already thought long and hard, I told Gareth that I had now decided to retire for good from international football.

It is a really tough decision and one I have discussed with my family, my manager at Everton and those closest to me.

Playing for England has always been special to me. Every time I was selected as a player or captain was a real privilege and I thank everyone who helped me. But I believe now is the time to bow out.

Leaving Manchester United was a tough call but I know I made the right decision in coming home to Everton. Now I want to focus all my energies on helping them be successful.

I will always remain a passionate England fan. One of my very few regrets is not to have been part of a successful England tournament side. Hopefully the exciting players Gareth is bringing through can take that ambition further and I hope everyone will get behind the team.

One day the dream will come true and I look forward to being there as a fan - or in any capacity.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41027204

Six British teams await the draw for the Champions League group stage, which takes place on Thursday at 17:00 BST in Monaco.

Premier League champions Chelsea, runners-up Tottenham and third-placed Manchester City are all in the draw.

They will be joined by Europa League winners Manchester United, as well as Liverpool and Scottish champions Celtic who both came through qualifying.

The group stages of the competition begin on 12-13 September.

The last time six British teams qualified for the group stages was in 2007-08, when English sides Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal were joined by Scottish clubs Celtic and Rangers. The final saw Sir Alex Ferguson's United defeat Avram Grant's Chelsea on penalties.

Scroll to the bottom to see the full list of teams and the pots they are in.

Who has qualified?

Holders Real Madrid are in pot one alongside the winners of Europe's seven other biggest leagues - Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Benfica, Monaco, Spartak Moscow and Shakhtar Donetsk.

A dangerous pot two contains English sides Manchester United and Manchester City, as well as five-time winners Barcelona and the owners of the world's most expensive player - Neymar's Paris St-Germain.

Premier League sides Tottenham and Liverpool are in pot three, while Scotland's Celtic are in pot four which features Dutch champions Feyenoord and the runners-up from Germany's Bundesliga, Leipzig.

When are the group stage match days?

Match day one: 12-13 September

Match day two: 26-27 September

Match day three: 17-18 October

Match day four: 31 October-1 November

Match day five: 21-22 November

Match day six: 5-6 December

Full list of teams