Gareth Southgate, the manager of England, claims that he persuaded defender Kyle Walker to stay with the national team twice.
After Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup, the 33-year-old Manchester City defender pondered calling it quits with England, but he was convinced to continue.
On his 77th appearance in the Saturday's European qualification tie with Ukraine, Walker netted his first goal for England.
"I've talked him out of [international] retirement twice, after the Euros and after the World Cup" said Southgate.
"I think he loves being here and he's wanted to keep going and now he's thinking about how many caps can he get.
"He's critical to us. If we're talking about world-class players in their position in our team then he's probably one of them.
"I think he didn't realise how much value we have for him and how important he is for us. He's probably not going to thank me for sharing that".
Walker made his international debut for England in 2011 under Fabio Capello, but since Southgate took over as manager in 2016, the majority of his appearances have come under his leadership.
The ex-Tottenham and Sheffield United defender, who might win his 78th appearance against Scotland on Tuesday, claims that the level of competition at full-back led him to seriously contemplate giving up his international career.
"[With] the likes of Trent [Alexander-Arnold], Tripps [Kieran Trippier], Reece James coming through, you do think your days are numbered," he said. "And how many holidays and summers that I've sacrificed. I've been doing this since I was 19 [when] I joined the senior team - I'm 33 now.
"Me and Gareth have a good relationship off the field. We do speak and I feel that I can still bring something to the team. So why stop?"