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England Captain, Wayne Rooney, to quit internationals after 2018 World Cup
England Captain, Wayne Rooney, to quit internationals after 2018 World Cup
The Manchester United forward was speaking to the media for the first time since new England manager Sam Allardyce confirmed he would keep the 30-year-old as his captain.
"Come Russia I feel that will be the time to say goodbye to international football, my mind is made up" said Rooney, who has scored 53 goals in 115 England appearances.
"It's still two years away. I started playing professional football when I was 16, and started playing internationals when I was 17. Fifteen years is a lot. I'd be 34 by the next tournament
If he plays in Sunday's World Cup qualifier in Slovakia (17:00 BST kick-off), he will 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."
England have not lost a qualifier since 2009, going unbeaten 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.
"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".
SB