Players Retiring from International Football

Two more high profile retirements from international football in the last few days. Steven Gerrard and, more surprisingly, Philipp Lahm (at just 30 years of age). Both have cited their desire to prolong their club careers as a motivation.

Whoever read my posts in the World Cup thread knows that I am violently opposed to players "retiring" from international football. I'd personally like to see more of the Beckham and Lampard attitude (if I'm rubbish, if I'm old, if I'm injured, if I'm infirm ... I would still play if called) and less of the Scholes, Shearer, Terry, (and now) Gerrard attitude.

But I'm curious to see what the general club-versus-country sentiment is. Particularly interested to see what Liverpool fans think of Gerrard's decision, ManU fans of Scholes' decision, Chelsea fans of Terry's decision, etc..

(Bear in mind that by "acceptable", I don't mean whether or not is should be "allowed". We obviously can't regulate for this and no one can force a player to play if he doesn't want to. I simply mean that, as supporters, should we be so accepting of this trend or should those players be more harshly criticized by supporters and the media).

you cant blame players nowadays they get a load of shit from fans and media and for what.

mostly you find that players like Gerrard and Scholes and to some extent John terry have been at there clubs from the start of there careers or been there a long time and are part of the furniture and history there

cant blame Gerrard he has 2 seasons in him and with liverpool being in the champions league he knows his body cant cope with a full season of premiership champions league and England Qualifiers

the fact lampard close to signing for NY in the MLS could be the making of him as captain as he will have less matches

gerrard has served england for 14 years they never gave him the proper role that he had at liverpool that restricted his style and gameplay. As Hannahspet mentioned Gerrard has around 2 seasons left to get that premiership title thats eluded him, none of the current english players would want to be captain right now there is so much burden

I always say that players shouldn't give up on there country, you let there country give up on them

Gerrard is past it now as an international player, so his decision is a good one. He's not exactly 29 like Scholes and Shearer were.

(22-07-2014 20:55 )dominar rygel xvi Wrote:  Gerrard is past it now as an international player, so his decision is a good one. He's not exactly 29 like Scholes and Shearer were.

Ahh fair point, but although the question was prompted by Gerrard's retirement, it wasn't specifically about Gerrard.

How do you feel about Scholes' and Shearer?

Scholes could have played on for many years its a pity I'd rather he played on that some midfielders during that era

(22-07-2014 20:31 )harri Wrote:  none of the current english players would want to be captain right now

I bet Rooney is desperate to be captain.

If it's not acceptable for players to retire from international duty we are surely condoning slavery?

(22-07-2014 21:32 )4waydiablo Wrote:  If it's not acceptable for players to retire from international duty we are surely condoning slavery?

wow really? You get paid to play for your country, dont if you're a slave