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.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I always planned to retire when I was at the top and at Manchester United I have reached the pinnacle of my career.
When I thought I was retired, I wanted to travel around the world and watch soccer games.
My No. 1 goal, and what I've spent my entire life striving to achieve is to win a World Cup. I want to retire so badly with that World Cup, but if I don't, then I'll retire knowing that I've done everything I could to get it.
I love scoring goals for England and playing for England. That's one of the reasons I didn't retire - I love playing for my country.
I've always wanted to be a footballer, and I've always believed that's the path I was going to go down.
I'd love to go and I'd love to play for my country and go to a World Cup again. I've got to accept I'm not in the current squad and just think, 'If I get it, it's a bonus and I'll give it everything.' But it's hard to do when you've been thinking a different way all your life.
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.
The only thing I ever wanted to be was a professional football player.
To be a footballer was just a dream, and I don't believe in dreams. I only deal in what is real. To be honest, I've never thought about what I could get out of football or where it would take me. I just wanted to play. I'm the same now.
I prefer to win titles with the team ahead of individual awards or scoring more goals than anyone else. I'm more worried about being a good person than being the best football player in the world. When all this is over, what are you left with? When I retire, I hope I am remembered for being a decent guy.