Wayne Rooney is getting the final swansong he deserves.
Earlier this morning The Sun revealed England’s record goalscorer will be named in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the friendly against USA later this month.
And what’s not to like?
The news has been met with some disdain, labelled ‘pathetic’ and a ‘PR stunt’.
But given the usual apathy towards England friendlies, this adds a romantic dynamic that will make it instantly more watchable.
Other countries do it, with Wesley Sneijder and Lukas Podolski both given notable send offs in recent times to mark outstanding international careers.
It’s baffling that a player with Rooney’s achievements is still berated by England fans.
He’s won everything there is to win in English club football, is Man United and England’s record goal scorer and won PFA Player of the Year in 2010.
Yet still some aren’t convinced of his legendary status.
No England player has been ridiculed as much as Rooney, fans revelling in his fall from grace towards the end of his United career.
He hasn’t managed the longevity of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo or Ryan Giggs but that shouldn’t tarnish his legacy.
But he is a man reborn in MLS, taking DC United from the bottom of the division to the play-offs in his first season and producing one of the most memorable moments in recent memory.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBSrKMfz33w]
Now, 14 months on from announcing his international retirement, the country can come together on November 15 to celebrate a hero.
READ MORE:
- Marko Arnautovic is the true maverick West Ham have spent years searching for
- The death of the number 10: is football’s most iconic position in danger of dying out?
- 7 players who could eventually replace Fernandinho in Man City’s midfield