The 29-year-old scored 14 goals in his seven years playing for the Three Lions, but he has decided to concentrate on his club football with Manchester United.

"This is a decision I have not taken lightly. I have been considering retiring from international football for a while," he said. 

Scholes made his England debut at Old Trafford in 1997 since when he has played in two World Cups and two European Championships.

The midfielder said: "I started my England career in 1997 and have enjoyed seven years of great football, playing in the best competitions, with some of the best players, under the best managers.

"Euro 2004 was fantastic but afterwards I felt the time was right for myself and my family to make it my last England appearance.

"I would like to thank everyone at England for the wonderful years I had playing for the team and all the experience I gained. I wish them all the best and good luck for the future."

Scholes' England goals have included a hat-trick in Kevin Keegan’s first match as manager, a European Championship qualifier against the Poles at Wembley.

Paul Scholes - England Career

Portugal 

Neutral

2-2

24 June 2004

Croatia 1

Neutral

4-2

21 June 2004

Switzerland 

Neutral

3-0

17 June 2004

France

Neutral

1-2

13 June 2004

Iceland

Home

6-1

05 June 2004

Japan

Home

1-1

01 June 2004

Portugal

Away

1-1

18 February 2004

Turkey

Away

0-0

11 October 2003

Croatia

Home

3-1

20 August 2003

Slovakia

Home

2-1

11 June 2003

Serbia & Montenegro

Home

2-1

03 June 2003

South Africa

Away

2-1

22 May 2003

Turkey

Home

2-0

02 April 2003

Liechtenstein

Away

2-0

29 March 2003

Australia

Home

1-3

12 February 2003

Macedonia

Home

2-2

16 October 2002

Slovakia

Away

2-1

12 October 2002

Brazil

Neutral

1-2

21 June 2002

Denmark

Neutral

3-0

15 June 2002

Nigeria

Neutral

0-0

12 June 2002

Argentina

Neutral

1-0

07 June 2002

Sweden

Neutral

1-1

02 June 2002

Cameroon

Neutral

2-2

26 May 2002

South Korea

Neutral

1-1

21 May 2002

Paraguay

Home

4-0

17 April 2002

Holland

Away

1-1

13 February 2002

Sweden

Home

1-1

10 November 2001

Greece

Home

2-2

06 October 2001

Albania

Home

2-0

05 September 2001

Germany

Away

5-1

01 September 2001

Holland

Home

0-2

15 August 2001

Greece 1

Away

2-0

06 June 2001

Mexico 1

Home

4-0

25 May 2001

Albania 1

Away

3-1

28 March 2001

Finland

Home

2-1

24 March 2001

Spain

Home

3-0

28 February 2001

Finland

Away

0-0

11 October 2000

Germany

Home

0-1

07 October 2000

France

Away

1-1

02 September 2000

Romania

Neutral

2-3

20 June 2000

Germany

Neutral

1-0

17 June 2000

Portugal 1

Neutral

2-3

12 June 2000

Malta

Neutral

2-1

03 June 2000

Ukraine

Home

2-0

31 May 2000

Brazil

Home

1-1

27 May 2000

Argentina

Home

0-0

23 February 2000

Scotland

Home

0-1

17 November 1999

Scotland 2

Away

2-0

13 November 1999

Poland

Away

0-0

08 September 1999

Sweden

Home

0-0

05 June 1999

Poland 3

Home

3-1

27 March 1999

France +

Home

0-2

01 February 1999

Luxembourg

Away

3-0

14 October 1998

Bulgaria

Home

0-0

10 October 1998

Sweden

Away

1-2

05 September 1998

Argentina

Neutral

2-2

30 June 1998

Columbia

Neutral

2-0

26 June 1998

Romania

Neutral

1-2

22 June 1998

Tunisia 1

Neutral

2-0

15 June 1998

Saudi Arabia

Home

0-0

23 May 1998

Portugal

Home

3-0

22 April 1998

Cameroon 1

Home

2-0

15 November 1997

Moldova 1

Home

4-0

10 September 1997

Brazil

Neutral

0-1

10 June 1997

Italy 1

Neutral

2-0

04 June 1997

South Africa +

Home

2-1

24 May 1997