You can take 100 penalties in training, but when you go out on that pitch in front of all those people and the television cameras, it's completely different.

13 goals in 41 appearances for the Saints led to an England call-up; he scored on his debut and was strongly linked in the press with a summer move to Manchester United. By now Shearer was approaching his 30th birthday and he announced that he intended to retire from international football after the Euro 2000 tournament. Personal honours
On 6 December 2000 Shearer was given Honorary Freedom of the City of Newcastle upon Tyne with the citation "in recognition of his role as Captain of Newcastle United Football Club and as former Captain of England which have enhanced the reputation of the City".

The 1995–96 season saw Shearer make his first Champions League appearances and finish as the top scorer in the Premier League with 31 goals. He was also top scorer at Euro 1996 with England scoring five goals and in the 1996–97 Premier League with 25 goals. He was named Football Writers' Association Player of the Year in 1994 and won the PFA Player of the Year award in 1995.