England national team captain Wayne Rooney has claimed he would rather taste success at next summer’s European Championships rather than beat Sir Bobby Charlton’s all-time goalscoring record.
The Manchester United skipper moved level with the Three Lions great with a goal in the first half of their comfortable 6-0 victory over international minnows San Marino on Saturday evening in a result that confirmed their place in France for Euro 2016.
Rooney will have the chance to overtake Charlton when Switzerland visit Wembley on Tuesday night and the 29-year-old says he’s proud of the accomplishment but admits winning the tournament next summer would mean much more to him than personal glory:
“It’s a proud moment to equal Sir Bobby Charlton’s record,”he told ITV [via Standard Sport].
“My aim is to push on and try and help the team win on Tuesday and break the record.
“It would have been great if the record had happened tonight. Obviously the tradition of Wembley and to break the record at Wembley would be great.”
“Sir Bobby is in the dressing room at Manchester United after all the games and he has a presence about him. He has given me advice.”
“I would swap all these goals for a winner’s medal next summer,” Rooney added.
It’s on the biggest stage at international level where the Red Devils star has failed to shine for his country and next year could represent his final chance to win the Euros with the Three Lions as he will be 34 for the tournament in 2020.
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