Rooney will lead England out in their first World Cup qualifier in Slovakia on Sunday but admitted he expects this to be his last worldwide campaign.
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The England captain, who has come under fire for substandard performances over the last few years, said that he’s going to give it his all through the tournament in Russian Federation, but that after that, he’ll walk away from the Three Lions.
“Realistically I know myself that Russian Federation will be my last opportunity to do anything with England”, Rooney told a press conference at St George’s Park in Burton, central England.
“I think if he gets the best out of the players we’ve got then we’ll do well, because the ability and talent is there it’s a matter of us doing well in the tournaments”.
“I’m looking forward to this new regime”.
“My mind is made up – obviously that is down to Sam Allardyce again in terms of over the next two years – but that will be my last tournament if selected”.
Rooney says “my mind is made up”. “I’m ready to play whether it’s as a midfielder, as a number 10 or as a striker”.
Speaking on Tuesday ahead of the first match of England’s World Cup qualifying campaign, against Slovakia on Sunday, Rooney said “realistically I know myself that Russian Federation will be my last opportunity to do anything with England”.
Wayne Rooney has been in the England side since 2004.
During qualification, Rooney became England’s all-time leading goalscorer but he was left disappointed following the poor showing at the finals in France – although he had already made his decision to stay on with England, despite the likes of Alan Shearer calling for him to retire. He may want to play through Russian Federation, but he needs to be good enough to make the team or his worldwide career may end even earlier. With England’s young talent and Rooney’s sagging form, that’s no guarantee.
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Four managers and 12 years later, however, Rooney accepts there has been a familiar tale of England under-achievement.
