James Milner retires, from Leeds prodigy and England refusal to Premier League legend | OneFootball

James Milner has retired at 40, closing an extraordinary career that began at Leeds United and spanned almost a quarter of a century.

According to Leeds Live, he debuted for Leeds in 2002 aged 16, then the Premier League’s second-youngest, and later turned out for six clubs including Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle and Aston Villa. He amassed a record 658 appearances and 13 major trophies, winning the league and Champions League with Liverpool, and earned 61 England caps across three major tournaments.

He retired from England duty in 2016, and when Gareth Southgate took charge he asked him to return, but Milner refused. His longevity owed much to an ascetic professionalism, he did not drink alcohol, never troubled managers and never took anything for granted.

Before the 2014 World Cup, en route to Miami, he was asked if he would break his alcohol rule should England win it. With trademark deadpan, he replied: "no, why would I do that?"

He never forgot his roots, and is said to have paid for a new clubhouse at Horsforth Cricket Club, where he still drops in to see old friends.

Reflecting on his career, Milner said he cherished everything from survival fights to silverware, European football and representing England at two European Championships and two World Cups. He added that after a foot issue last year he returned to help Brighton qualify for Europe for the second time in their history at 40, and that the friendships made matter most.

Source: Leeds Live