England 3-0 USA: Rooney’s Final Farewell
England’s 3-0 victory over the USA on Thursday night saw Wayne Rooney make his final England appearance, albeit as a substitute. However, this sparked quite the debate amongst football fans across the country. Is it unfair to just hand out appearances and should appearances be earned? Or as one of England’s greatest ever players and our record goal scorer, has he already earned the right to a celebratory match?
Rooney has been performing well consistently in the MLS for DC United and has helped them push for a place in the Play-off positions, a feat they weren’t largely expected to achieve. These performances have earned him a place in the MLS Best XI, suggesting he has been performing well enough to have earned the cap, regardless of his already-established England legend status.
Rooney holds the accolade of England’s all-time top goal scorer with 53 goals, more than the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton (49) and Gary Lineker (48). As the top goal scorer and one of the nation’s greatest ever players, this deserves recognition and respect.
When asked about the issue, Gareth Southgate raised the examples of other players receiving final games for their respective nations. Germany’s Lukas Podolski received a send-off match against the Three lions in 2016, in which he scored a classy winning goal to finish his international career. Similarly, with Spain’s David Silva who has just retired from international duty this week.
This is only a minor thing but the fact that the game against the USA was only a friendly match as opposed to a competitive fixture and was against the country Rooney currently plies his trade made for a fitting final send-off.
Although, there were those who were opposed to giving Rooney a final cap. Many felt that the appearance and inclusion was unjustified and were angered by the generous handing out of an international feature, where others have had to work extremely hard to earn one. As well as there also being the case that this hasn’t happened for past legends and other iconic players. Recent examples like Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes all being arguably some of the Premier League’s and England’s best midfielders in modern times, all missing out on a farewell game.
What do you think? Was it right to recognise one of England’s greatest ever players and record goal scorer, or was it unfair to just hand out an appearance?
Rooney has been performing well consistently in the MLS for DC United and has helped them push for a place in the Play-off positions, a feat they weren’t largely expected to achieve. These performances have earned him a place in the MLS Best XI, suggesting he has been performing well enough to have earned the cap, regardless of his already-established England legend status.
Rooney holds the accolade of England’s all-time top goal scorer with 53 goals, more than the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton (49) and Gary Lineker (48). As the top goal scorer and one of the nation’s greatest ever players, this deserves recognition and respect.
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When asked about the issue, Gareth Southgate raised the examples of other players receiving final games for their respective nations. Germany’s Lukas Podolski received a send-off match against the Three lions in 2016, in which he scored a classy winning goal to finish his international career. Similarly, with Spain’s David Silva who has just retired from international duty this week.
This is only a minor thing but the fact that the game against the USA was only a friendly match as opposed to a competitive fixture and was against the country Rooney currently plies his trade made for a fitting final send-off.
Although, there were those who were opposed to giving Rooney a final cap. Many felt that the appearance and inclusion was unjustified and were angered by the generous handing out of an international feature, where others have had to work extremely hard to earn one. As well as there also being the case that this hasn’t happened for past legends and other iconic players. Recent examples like Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Paul Scholes all being arguably some of the Premier League’s and England’s best midfielders in modern times, all missing out on a farewell game.
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What do you think? Was it right to recognise one of England’s greatest ever players and record goal scorer, or was it unfair to just hand out an appearance?
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