On This Day in 2014: Steven Gerrard retires from international football

Former England and Liverpool skipper, Steven Gerrard, made a significant announcement on this day in 2014, revealing his retirement from international football.

Gerrard, often hailed as one of the finest midfielders of his generation, had a remarkable international career, donning the Three Lions jersey 114 times, securing his place as the fourth-highest appearance maker in England’s men’s football history.

Despite being a revered figure at Liverpool, Gerrard’s performances for England didn’t always mirror his club heroics. His decision to step down came in the aftermath of England’s lackluster showing in the 2014 World Cup, where they exited the tournament at the group stage, leaving fans and players alike disappointed.

Gerrard’s international journey began in 2000 when he made his debut under Kevin Keegan against Ukraine. He featured in the European Championship later that summer, and his first international goal came against Germany in a memorable 5-1 World Cup qualifying victory, followed by two crucial strikes in the 2006 World Cup.

Injury robbed him of the opportunity to play in the 2002 World Cup, but he continued to impress on the international stage, serving as captain on 38 occasions and netting 21 goals for his country.

However, despite his personal successes, Gerrard, like the rest of the “Golden Generation,” couldn’t secure a major international trophy, with the 2010 and 2014 World Cup campaigns proving to be challenging and disappointing.

After his England tenure, Gerrard continued to shine at Liverpool for the 2014-15 season, achieving the distinction of making over 500 Premier League appearances for one club, alongside Ryan Giggs and former teammate Jamie Carragher.

Later, Gerrard embarked on a new adventure with LA Galaxy in 2015, playing 19 matches in the Major League Soccer before eventually announcing his retirement as a player in November 2016, leaving an indelible mark on the world of football.