Wayne Rooney will return to the national team and play one more friendly game with U.S. At Wembley on Thursday night he’ll take apart wearing the No.10 shirt and captain's armband.
Rooney now plays for DC United in the MLS. He chose to announce his retirement having made last appearance for England in November 2016 (against Scotland). It is therefore two years since Wayne has played for his country.
While everyone agree that Rooney needs to be honoured, there are a lot of thoughts that his recall to the England squad confusing.
READ ALSO: Bayern Munich wants Zidane to become their new manager
Stuart Pearce, former defender of England national team is totally against it, said:
"It cheapens an international cap and I don't think it's right."
On the other hand Gary Neville is sure Rooney deserves to play, no matter FA have got the timing wrong. In the column for Sky Sports he admitted this should have happened 18 months ago, but still he is delighted to see Rooney at Wembley and glad to this farewell to the fans.
READ ALSO: NAIJ.com upgrades to Legit.ng: a letter from our Editor-in-Chief Bayo Olupohunda
"I'm quite neutral on it - I'm not like some who think it is an absolute disgrace, I do not as I think Wayne Rooney deserved that send-off 18 months ago."
"Wayne Rooney was in the squad for so many years, he was an inspiration to young players. He does deserve a send-off, he is too good a player not to have one."
If you ask Rooney, he is quite restrained in the expectations about this game. Seems like he may have to fight back the tears in the end, but for now he just glad to be with the guys.
"It will be strange but something that I'm looking forward to... It was strange to get back among the players in training, but to run out at Wembley again will be something that I'll be incredibly proud of and it'll be a special moment, for sure."
Some of fans are sure that even if there wasn't any talks about sending-off, Rooney still might be called for the national team because of his last performances in MLS. They can be understood: Rooney’s influence on the team’s results is immense. Just look at this free-kick he scored in October.
READ ALSO: Man United star Marouane Fellaini breaks the internet after shaving iconic Afro hairstyle
Debates about Rooney's return is a sad thing. It's not the first time FA fails in saying goodbye to the main stars, making people not to discuss the main point. The greatness of Wayne Rooney should be indisputable for the fans, and his sending-off shouldn't be confusing.
But in this case it is symbolic this end of the career in the national team for Wayne Rooney occurs like that.
Fans have quite a few regrets related to him. Rooney was one of the most passionate players at United, but started just 15 games in his final season at Old Trafford. He is a top scorer of the national team ever, but due big tournaments with his participation England didn't perform well.
A famous topic which might never come to conclusion - did Wayne Rooney fulfill his potential? There is no simple answer for that, as there is no the true reason why he says goodbye to England in 18 months after his international retirement.
PAY ATTENTION: Become a member of the leading sports Facebook group 'Naija Football Fan Zone'
But we shouldn't denying the fact that Wayne remains one of the greatest footballers to have ever played for England and Manchester United.
It is definitely fitting farewell for an extraordinary player with his great achievements and such a confusing legacy. So maybe it just should have been that way.
NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng We keep evolving to serve our readers better.
Who will win the champions league? - on Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng