England Captain Wayne Rooney To Quit International Soccer After 2018 World Cup

Wayne Rooney, captain of the England national team, has announced he will retire from international soccer after the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Wayne Rooney To Quit International Soccer After 2018 World Cup

The 30-year-old Manchester United forward and record goalscorer for England spoke to the media Tuesday for the first time since new England manager Sam Allardyce confirmed he would keep Rooney as his captain.

“Come Russia I feel that will be the time to say goodbye to international football,” said Rooney, who has scored 53 goals in 115 England appearances, at an England Press Conference in Burton-upon-Trent, England.

“My mind is made up.”

In two years’ time, the England captain will have 12 months remaining on his United contract. Rooney rejected the suggestion that his decision to quit international play will help him earn a new deal and prolong his career at Old Trafford, it could very well improve his prospects.

“I will carry on playing, certainly at club level,” Rooney said. “I will have a year left at United then [2018]. I’ve said to United I want to stay there, finish my career there, so it’s a case of sitting down with United when the time’s right. I’ve still got three years left [on his ­contract]. I obviously, hopefully, want to finish my career at United.”

The star forward also reflected on his international career and said he couldn’t envision himself playing with England in the next major tournament.

“It’s still two years away. I started playing professional football when I was 16, and started playing internationals when I was 17,” Rooney continued. “Fifteen years is a lot. I’d be 34 by the next tournament.

“I’ve had a fantastic international career so far. I’ve enjoyed every minute.”

Should he play in Sunday’s World Cup qualifier in Slovakia, he would break David Beckham’s record for the most capped outfield England player.

“Russia will be my last opportunity to do anything with England so I’m going to try to enjoy these two years and hopefully I can end my time with England on a high.”

Rooney has not yet discussed with Allardyce what position he will play.

He played as a midfielder during Euro 2016 under manager Roy Hodgson, who abandoned his post following England’s shocking last-16 loss to Iceland.

Under new United boss Jose Mourinho this season, Rooney has played behind the striker– which is were Allardyce has told the media Rooney will play for England.

“Obviously it’s the manager’s decision,” said Rooney. “We haven’t really spoken about it – we will in the next couple of days. I’m ready to play whether it’s midfield, number 10 or striker.”

England have not lost a tournament qualifier since 2009, going undefeated to reach Euro 2012, the 2014 World Cup, and Euro 2016. However, they have not won a tournament knockout game since the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

“If he gets the best out of our players, then he’ll do well,” said Rooney.

“The ability and talent is there. It’s just a matter of us doing well in a tournament. We are a small margin away.

Allardyce has previously served as manager for Bolton, West Ham and Sunderland, and Rooney took the time to praise him.

“We’ve seen a lot of teams overachieve with him as manager,” the forward said. “That’s down to the way he’s got them playing. Hopefully he can do the same with us.”

Caption:SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 13: Wayne Rooney of Manchester United controls the ball under pressure of DeAndre Yedlin of Sunderland during the Barclays Premier League match between Sunderland and Manchester United at the Stadium of Light on February 13, 2016 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)