Wayne Rooney broke Sir Bobby Charlton’s goal record on Tuesday against Switzerland, and if the 29-year-old Manchester United captain has his way, he’ll make a lot of distance between himself and the 49-goal Charlton.
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Rooney says he won’t retire from England duty, that it will take a matter of manager’s omission to keep him from pulling on the Three Lions shirt. Calling it a “massive honor”, Rooney is aiming for the 2018 World Cup.
From the BBC:“I feel I’m capable of going to Russia,” he added. “After that, it may be a realistic time to see how I feel and if I feel it’s not right for England or myself, I’ll have a decision to make.
“If I feel I can carry on, I’ll try. But if the manager says he doesn’t feel I’m in his plans for the next tournament, it’s probably better I don’t play in the qualifying games because I won’t be going to the tournament.”
Rooney will be 32 when the 2018 World Cup kicks off, and would be a near lock to break Peter Shilton’s record of 125 caps if he plays that long (Rooney is at 107).
By the way, if Charlton is “Sir” Bobby, that means Rooney is almost certain to garner that title. Sir Wayne Rooney. Just say it out loud.