The 34-year-old Liverpool midfielder has decided to call it quits on the international stage, over 14 years after making his debut for his country back in May 2000
Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard has retired from international duty.
Gerrard, who turned 34 in May this year, captained England during a disappointing 2014 World Cup in which they crashed out of the tournament at the group stage.
The Anfield veteran, who made his debut for his country against Ukraine back in May 2000, represented the Three Lions 114 times and scored 21 goals.
"This has been a very difficult decision, one of the toughest I've had to make in my career," Gerrard told the FA's official website.
"I have agonised over this since coming back from Brazil and have spoken to family, friends and people close to me in the game before coming to this point.
"Most importantly, Brendan [Rodgers, Liverpool manager] has been fantastic and obviously I have to look after my body as much as possible to ensure I can give everything when I take to the field.
Former England defender Ashley Cole has signed for Italian side Roma.
The 33-year-old left-back, released by Chelsea this summer, has agreed a two-year deal with the option of a third., the club confirmed in a statement.
Cole later tweeted: "Will never forget my time in England was a pleasure, but now onto a new challenge."
Cole, who announced his international retirement after being overlooked by Roy Hodgson for England’s ill-fated World Cup campaign, became a free agent along with Frank Lampard at the end of the season, after Chelsea opted not to renew their contracts.
Cole's agent was involved in discussions with only foreign clubs, with Roma and sides in the MLS showing the strongest interest.
Cole signed for Chelsea in a controversial move from rivals Arsenal in 2006 for £5million and went on to make over 300 appearances for the club.
He won the Premier League under Carlo Ancelotti in 2010, before clinching the 2012 Champions League under Roberto Di Matteo, as well as the 2013 Europa League with Rafa Benitez. He also has five FA Cup winners' medals.
Cole was a bit-part player last season, however, following Jose Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge and he was deemed surplus to requirements by both his club and country at the end of the campaign.
With Roma in the Champions League this coming season, Cole could make a quick return to Stamford Bridge. The group-stage draw will be made next month.
Germany coach Joachim Low has called on Mexican referee Marco Antonio Rodriguez to crack down on "brutal" fouls in Tuesday's semi-final with hosts Brazil.
Low highlighted the Brazil v Colombia quarter-final where Neymar suffered a fractured vertebrae and Colombia's James Rodriguez was the victim of a number of nasty fouls - there were 54 fouls in total in the game, 31 committed by Brazil.
Low told a press conference: "I hope the referee will clamp down on things. That physical energy in the match against Colombia went beyond the limits in Europe. When I saw that match... in Europe, 22 players wouldn't have ended that match.
"There were brutal fouls. People blocking opponents however they could. It was really exaggerated. That's what we saw on the pitch, so I hope these really brutal and crude fouls are stopped, or we won't see players like [Lionel] Messi, [Mesut] Ozil or Neymar, and we'll just see players who go out to destroy.
"Colombia against Brazil was a real fight with numerous fouls from both sides, not just the one foul against Neymar, but many others as well.
"Players have been warned what would earn them a yellow or a red card but you saw in the Colombia match many fouls from behind which were really dangerous for the players. You have to protect the players when you're a referee."
Low has dismissed any notion that the absence of Neymar will mortally wound Brazil's hopes and said he was "awfully sorry" the Barcelona star's serious injury will keep him out.
Belgium lost 1-0 to Argentina in their World Cup quarter-final on Saturday but captain Vincent Kompany thinks their young squad will get better and become even more formidable.
The Manchester City skipper says he will now take a short break before attempting to lead the Premier League champions to further silverware.
“I have to say congratulations to the whole (Belgium) team,” said Kompany, who impressed at the heart of his nation's defence.
“We have some margins to improve and we will be a tough team to play against in the years to come.”
Asked who he now wanted to win the tournament, he replied: “Any one of the City players! I think there are four left now.
“Brazil-Argentina would seem like a good final to me.”
Kompany thinks Brazil has been a superb stage for this summer’s event, adding: “If there is something I can take out of this World Cup, it is how much this country has proven that they could pull it off.
“So many people said it was going to be a disaster and people like to play up drama but I came here and everything was beyond my expectation.
“Most important of all, I think it was a really good advert for football, and everybody enjoyed it.”
Kompany has had a long season and is now looking forward to a short period of time away from the game.
“I crave football, winning matches and trophies,” he said. “Obviously, I play for a club where every year it is a possibility.
Angel Di Maria will miss Argentina's World Cup semi-final against Holland on Wednesday.
The Argentinian Football Federation announced the Real Madrid winger would not be fit enough to feature after suffering a thigh injury in the 1-0 quarter-final victory over Belgium.
The federation said in a statement on their official website that Di Maria underwent tests over the weekend which determined he would not be available to face the Dutch.
His condition will continue to be evaluated day by today.
Speculation that the Brazilian could return to his homeland or make a move to the MLS will be fuelled by his departure from the Rossoneri.
AC Milan have announced that Kaka will leave the club after agreeing to a mutual termination of his contract.
The Brazilian returned to San Siro last summer after a disappointing spell at Real Madrid, but was unable to prevent the Rossoneri's decline as they missed out on European football.
He has been strongly linked with a move to his homeland or to Major League Soccer and Milan have now confirmed that they will go separate ways this summer.
"AC Milan announce that they have today terminated the contract of Kaka by mutual agreement," a club statement read.
Sao Paulo vice-president Ataide Gil Guerreiro claimed on Monday that the 32-year-old would return to his first club before making a move to MLS outfit Orlando City.
Arjen Robben courted further World Cup controversy by insisting he was fouled for the penalty that led to Holland's last-gasp 2-1 win over Mexico, but apologised for diving earlier in the match.
The Dutch winger was accused by Mexico boss Miguel Herrera of committing three dives during the match in Fortaleza that saw Holland go through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
However, Robben said in quotes attributed to Dutch television channel NOS: "The one at the end was a penalty, I was fouled.
"At the same time I have to apologise in the first half I took a dive and I really shouldn't do that.
"That was a stupid, stupid thing to do but sometimes you're expecting to be struck and then they pull their leg away at the last minute."
Herrera said Portuguese referee Pedro Proenca should have taken action against the Bayern Munich winger, who went down under a challenge by Mexico skipper Rafael Marquez in injury time.
He said: "Robben did three dives and he should have been cautioned. You should caution a guy who is trying to cheat and then if Robben did it again he would be sent off."
