If I had my time again and was able to change one thing from my career then I wouldn't have retired. I would have played for Wales longer.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Of course I could have retired anytime. But retiring would drive me crazy.
When I retired in 2006, I stayed for a further two years in England. I stayed because I wanted to be in England without being a footballer, without the rhythm. I wanted to enjoy the city.
I never felt I would get to the stage where I would to have to actively think about retiring from international football as I always thought it would pass me by.
When I thought I was retired, I wanted to travel around the world and watch soccer games.
There's no way I would have thought I would have had the career that I did and the longevity. Absolutely no idea.
I'd retired for about six or seven years. Coming back to the business, I found that I was sort of not quite a has-been, and it wasn't a new career, it was just kind of difficult to crack the nut, so to speak.
'm so fortunate to have done what I love to do for so long, but the day I retired was one of the best days of my life. Not because I was happy to get away from the sport, but because it was clear in my mind that I had done all I possibly could, and that it was time to go.
If I could go back and change how I left the NRL, I would. My name will forever be tarnished but I wasn't the man I am now.
The only way I'd have gone was if it would better my career, I would not have gone just for the money. The point was to go to a club that could win trophies.
I always planned to retire when I was at the top and at Manchester United I have reached the pinnacle of my career.