Over nearly a decade, Keegan earned 63 England caps, scored 21 goals and captained the team on 31 occasions.
His international career began slowly after a debut in a World Cup qualifier in Wales, and even featured an assault by security staff at Belgrade airport in the summer of 1974 when England, under caretaker manager Joe Mercer, arrived for a friendly against Yugoslavia.
Playful antics at the baggage carousel led to the innocent, high‑profile Keegan being taken to a side room, where he was punched and kicked. He was later released and went on to score a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw.
In 1975, after being dropped for a Home International against Wales, Keegan briefly left the England squad, only to return following discussions with manager Don Revie.
It encapsulated an England career that never quite hit its ceiling.
England failed to reach the 1974 and 1978 World Cups, and when Keegan captained them at Euro 1980 in Italy, they did not advance beyond the group stage.
He wore the armband again at the 1982 World Cup in Spain, but a chronic back injury—prompting a trip to Germany to see a specialist—limited him to the final 26 minutes of England’s second-round match against Spain.
Uncharacteristically, Keegan missed a straightforward headed chance, and the goalless draw sent Ron Greenwood’s side home.
He was omitted from the next squad by Greenwood’s successor, Bobby Robson, and never played for England again.