Rooney: Winning with England would be 'the ultimate'

Saturday 03 Oct 2015
Rooney celebrates breaking the England goalscoring record against Switzerland

England’s record goalscorer Wayne Rooney says winning a trophy with the Three Lions would be better than any individual accolade.

The Manchester United striker broke Sir Bobby Charlton's international goalscoring record by notching his 50th strike for England against Switzerland at Wembley last month.

But despite setting the new record, the 29-year-old says that lifting the World Cup or European Championship with his country would mean so much more.

Wayne Rooney applauds England

Rooney scored his 50th goal for England in the win over Switzerland in September

"If I could win a major trophy with England, like Sir Bobby Charlton and his team-mates did, then that would be the ultimate," said Rooney on www.officialwaynerooney.com.

"I would be lying if I were to say that breaking records and making history for doing so was not something that I feel very proud of doing.

"But I've always seen myself as a team player and felt that the achievements of the team are always more important than individual honours and records.

"I know that's not always the natural thoughts of a so-called striker, but to me the most important aspect of the game is being part of the team and winning and losing together."

Rooney will be hoping to lead England into action at next summer’s Euro Finals in France, with the Three Lions sure to be backed by thousands of fans across the Channel.

See Rooney's best ever England goals from his Three Lions career so far

And the former Everton star admits it would be a dream to be able to bring back the title with his international squad-mates and be part of the first England team to do so since their World Cup success on home soil in 1966.

"Later on when my career has come to an end and I'm sitting reminiscing with our grandkids, it would be wonderful if I still was the player who has scored the most goals for his country," he added.

"A trophy as well would be incredible."

Rooney was named in Hodgson’s latest squad, as England prepare to round-off their Euro Qualifier against Estonia and Lithuania next week.

And tickets for the game with Estonia at Wembley on Friday 9 October are still on sale. Click here for more details.

By Nicholas Veevers Content Manager - FA Owned Channels