The England captain fired home from the spot against Switzerland to secure his 50th goal for the Three Lions – and the nation responded with an outpouring of praise and gratitude.
England 2-0 Switzerland
UEFA EURO 2016 Qualifier Group E
Wembley Stadium connected by EE
Tuesday 8 September 2015
Former striker Gary Lineker, third on England's all-time list behind Rooney and Sir Bobby Charlton, offered his congratulations to Rooney, as did fifth-highest scorer and former Three Lions and Manchester United team-mate Michael Owen and the legendary David Beckham.
I grew up watching this man score for England! It was a honour to share that moment with him! Congrats @WayneRooney pic.twitter.com/1KDvW4yyJo
— Harry Kane (@hkane28) September 8, 2015
Big well done to @waynerooney on reaching 50 goals in a England shirt, also always good to get 3… https://t.co/YyzfAxyrpR
— Raheem Sterling (@sterling7) September 8, 2015
Congratulations @WayneRooney great achievement #50andcounting #England
— Kyle Walker (@kylewalker2) September 8, 2015
Congratulations @waynerooney on succeeding where all others have failed by becoming England's highest ever scorer http://t.co/ourdZdK5tL
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 8, 2015
Congratulations Wazza, a record many have had a crack at breaking including me! Huge achievement. https://t.co/YCmtSmE3A2
— michael owen (@themichaelowen) September 8, 2015
Buzzing for him.. Congrats @WayneRooney #legend
— Andrew Cole (@vancole9) September 8, 2015
Fantastic reception for us #Lionesses at half time tonight but even better a good result for @england and history made by @WayneRooney 👏🏻
— Casey Stoney MBE (@CaseyStoney) September 8, 2015
Former England captain David Beckham also heaped praise on the record-goalscorer and believes he can continue scoring for his country for years to come.
"He [Rooney] can continue for another five years," the ex-Manchester United and Real Madrid star told ITV Sport.
"I really hope he does because he’s such a talent. Everyone knows how much England means to him, so I believe he can play for another five years."
Beckham, whose son Romeo was mascot for the Three Lions on Tuesday, believes that the landmark strike against Switzerland will rank among Rooney’s greatest achievements.
“I’m sure it’s up there with every trophy that he’s won because I know how much it means to Wayne to play for his country.”
"And to reach the heights of this and be up there with the name of Sir Bobby Charlton means so much.
Having now overtaken Sir Bobby’s total, Beckham says only winning a tournament with England could top his record-breaking moment.
"You talk about records, you talk about scoring goals. For Wayne, it’s all about winning things and if you win something with England it wouldn’t get any better than that," concluded Beckham.
Congratulation to @WayneRooney Wazza #brilliant 👏👏👏 mmmmmmmm!!
— Quinton Fortune ️ (@QuintonFortune) September 8, 2015
Congratulations to my friends! Record-breaking goal by @WayneRooney and Euro qualification for @David_Alaba! pic.twitter.com/7JRJjkdGjK
— Basti Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) September 8, 2015
Well done Wayne, terrific achievement by and standards,only one record to beat for England now!
— Sir Geoff Hurst (@TheGeoffHurst) September 9, 2015
