Rio Ferdinand Retires: Manchester United Defender Ends International Football Career With England, Will Miss 2014 World Cup

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has announced his retirement from international competitive football today, leaving England's national team before the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro. His Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson retired from coaching last week, but Ferdinand still plans to focus on his career with the club instead of the international team. The 34-year-old player says he felt it was time to make room for the younger players. In previous years, Rio Ferdinand stated he would "never quit England," but it looks like he has changed is mind.

In his retirement announcement, Rio Ferdinand stated:

"At the age of 34, I feel it is right for me to stand aside and let the younger players come through, which allows me to concentrate on my club career. The team looks in great shape and there is an influx of young, talented players coming through the ranks which bodes well for the future. I regard it as a great honor and a privilege to have represented my country at every level from Under 17s upwards. I have always been very proud to play for England. I would like to wish Roy and the team all the best for future tournaments. A big thank you to all the fans, managers, coaching staff and players that I have worked alongside - the journey has been incredible."

England manager Roy Hodgson will have to deal with a diminishing defensive squad now that Ferdinand has retired. Earlier this year John Terry also hung up his international football boots.

Of Ferdinand's retirement, Hodgson said, "It is important to pay tribute to someone of Rio's stature and the achievements he had in a senior international career with England over 16 years at the highest level."

He added, "To have captained his country, to play at three World Cups and indeed score in one of those, marks him out amongst a very special group of players. I appreciated the call from Rio to inform me of his decision, which clearly he had spent much time considering before reaching this point. I wish him all the best in his club career, and I'm sure the former managers he played under and every England fan will join me in thanking him for his service."