Frank Lampard said he has never thought of retiring from international football.
Despite sitting out Euro 2012 injured and having experiencing abused from England fans, Lampard has always been motivated to play for the national team, even though it has not always been easy..
The 34-year-old has won 92 England caps and having netted twice against Moldova on Friday, he now has 25 international goals and the opportunity to become his country s greatest midfield goalscorer in the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley on Tuesday.
I am very proud of my England career. With England careers, they can t always be rosy for any player especially if you are going to get towards 100 caps, he told ESPN.
I am very proud of the games, the goals, the games I have been involved in. The only downside is that we have not won anything. That s something we all want to put right.
The Chelsea midfielder insisted he always wanted to keep playing for the team despite becoming a target for England fans abuse in the course of the unsuccessful qualifying campaign for Euro 2008.
He added: I am pleased I didn t bail out when I was getting stick because there can be easy routes particularly when you get to 30. You are allowed to retire from that age onwards.
I was never interested in that. Whether I carry on playing one more game or 15, I d like to think people will say he was really proud to play for his country and put in a good contribution . If they say that I will be very happy.
Lampard withdrew from England’s Euro 2012 training camp with a thigh injury, but returned to captain the side in August s friendly against Italy, and commented that his absence represented an opportunity to bow out that he would never have taken.
He continued: When I got injured in the summer, it was one of those but I never actually considered it [retiring from international football]. I haven t got it in me. I m not saying I ll stay available to be picked forever because it becomes obvious at some stage. But it s not my thing.
My dad has always been a quiet advocate of playing for your country and the fact you are a long time retired, that while you feel you can contribute, do it.
Even in those tough times, when I had a tough game, or was getting stick, my dad was adamant on me staying in the game because we are so privileged to be here. But I didn t talk to him this summer as I knew the answer I d have got keep going .
I don t know whether I am taken for granted. I don t believe so. I am very proud to be here.
I have played through injuries at times and I like to think I have made myself available every time because I am very pleased to be here.
