Wayne Rooney Intends to Step Down from the Three Lions After 2018 World Cup (England Betting Odds)

2018 World Cup in Russia is set to be Rooney’s final tournament for the Three Lions – Bet with England Betting Odds at Paddy Power!

(Image credit: The Guardian)

“I know Russia will be my last opportunity to do anything so I’m going to try and enjoy these two years and hopefully end my time with England on a high,” said England’s leading scorer. “I said before the Euros I enjoy playing in this team, I’m excited by the players and that’s the case still.”

Rooney, soon-to-be 31, added he held discussions with England new boss Sam Allardyce about continuing his international duty with the Three Lions, and the former assured him he would retain his captaincy under the new management.

“I said as soon as the Euros finished that I wanted to continue and I made Sam aware of that when he got the job. He reiterated I would continue as captain. I was pleased. It’s nice to captain your country and I’m looking forward to the new regime,” stressed Rooney.

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Rooney broke into the national side at just 17 years of age in early 2003, when he came on as a substitute in a friendly match against Australia. Later that same year, he become England’s youngest ever goalscorer when he found the back of the net in a Euro 2004 qualifying match against Macedonia – a game that ended 2-1 for the Three Lions.

But it wasn’t until the actual Euro tournament in Portugal the following year that Rooney announced himself on the international stage as a future footballing star. Since then he has represented England in two more Euros (2012 and 2016) and three World Cups (2006, 2010 and 2014).

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During the qualifying campaign for Euro 2016 last year, Rooney broke Sir Bobby Charlton’s long-standing record of 49 goals for the national selection, after scoring striking his 50th goal at Wembley in a match against Switzerland – making him the new all-time leading goalscorer for England. Following the Euros in France, he now boasts 53 goals to his name.

In terms of appearances, Rooney is tied in second with former Manchester United legend David Beckham on 115 games for the Three Lions, while goalkeeper Peter Shilton sits above the two men as the most capped player in England’s history with 125 appearances.

By the time the World Cup in Russia comes about, Rooney will be 32 years of age, and with his form, compared to earlier years, slowly declining, it seems the perfect opportunity to bow out from representing England. With the World Cup less than 2 years from now, Rooney will have broken Shilton’s record for most appearances, with only 10 more to go at this stage.

England 2.00 (1/1) start off their qualifying campaign for Russia 2018 against Slovakia on the road 3.75 (11/4) this Sunday (September 4). Bet with England betting odds and lots more at Paddy Power!