Rooney to end England career after 2018 World Cup
Tuesday that the 2018 World Cup in Russia will be
his final tournament as an international footballer.
“Realistically, I know myself that Russia will be my
last opportunity to do anything with England,”
Rooney told a press conference at St George’s Park
in Burton, central England.
“My mind is made up. Russia will be my last
tournament.”
New England manager Sam Allardyce announced
on Monday that Rooney, 30, will be kept on as
captain for the World Cup qualifying campaign,
which begins in Slovakia on Sunday.
The Manchester United striker will make his 116th
England appearance in Trnava, taking him past
David Beckham as the country’s most-capped
outfield player.
Captain since August 2014, Rooney is also England’s
record goal-scorer with 53 goals.
But in six major tournament appearances with
England, he has never gone further than the
quarter-finals.
England crashed out in the group phase at the last
World Cup in Brazil two years ago and, with
Rooney as captain, were humiliated by minnows
Iceland in the last at Euro 2016.
“Hopefully I can end my time with England on a
high,” Rooney said. “I said before the Euros, I
enjoyed playing in this team, and that’s the case
still.
“There were some questions about whether I should
stop playing (for England), but I am looking
forward to getting back on the pitch.
“I made my mind up before the Euros, whether we
did well or not, that I was going to continue. I’ve
had nothing to think about since then.”
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