Wayne Rooney set to retire from England after 2018 World Cup
Wayne Rooney has decided that he will retire from international soccer after the 2018 World Cup. 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 Russia, but that after that, he'll walk away from the Three Lions.
"Realistically I know myself that Russia will be my last opportunity to do anything with England. 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, 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. My mind is made up ... Russia will be my last tournament.''
The 30-year-old was once England's unquestioned star and has a remarkable 53 goals for the Three Lions, but the last few years have been tough on him. His level of play has stopped and he's been under criticism for club and country, especially as both have brought in young players who some feel are better than him.
There were some questions about whether new England manager Sam Allardyce would even call Rooney up, but the captain has made the team for Allardyce's first match in charge this week. Allardyce has even clarified Rooney's position, saying that his captain will play as a No. 10. That's a departure from the midfield role Rooney played at the Euros -- a decision that came after saying that he thinks he should be a midfielder for the remainder of his career -- and closer to the forward spot he played for most of the last dozen years.
Now we'll see if Rooney gets to make it through the 2018 World Cup. He may want to play through Russia, but he needs to be good enough to make the team or his international career may end even earlier. With England's young talent and Rooney's sagging form, that's no guarantee. But if we've learned anything about Rooney, it's that he will never be out-worked and for at least two more years, Rooney is going to give it all he's got to put a bow on his England career.
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