Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney refused to name himself as the best English player of all time, despite a prolific impact on the international stage.
Wayne Rooney was only 17 years old when former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson handed him his senior Three Lions debut in 2003.
The 39-year-old ex-Manchester United striker made his mark on the international stage, including a scintillating run of form at Euro 2004 for England.
Rooney represented his country at multiple European Championships and World Cups during his playing spell and was later elevated to the England captaincy.
The United legend was capped 120 times for the Three Lions and Rooney eclipsed Sir Bobby Charlton in the goalscoring charts for England after netting 53 times.
Rooney was England’s all-time record goalscorer for a time before former Three Lions teammate Harry Kane surpassed the ex-Everton and United star.
The former Plymouth Argyle boss impressed on the international stage, but Rooney ended his England duties without a single piece of major silverware.
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Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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Despite the lack of trophies with England, former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney more than made up for it with his silverware haul at Old Trafford.
Rooney, who is considered one of the best strikers of all time, lifted five Premier Leagues, a Champions League, a Europa League, an FA Cup and three League Cups.
The Red Devils legend had a sensational impact at Old Trafford and Rooney also overtook Sir Bobby Charlton as United’s all-time leading scorer.
Speaking to TikToker ‘ben,’ Rooney was asked to name the best English player of all time and the former United captain was told he could put that accolade on himself.
“Yeah, no,” he said in response to the TikToker, who told Rooney he would be his No 1 pick.
Rooney then revealed that England cult hero Paul Gascoigne would be his top pick for the English ‘GOAT’ and raved about the ability of ‘Gazza.’
“I say Gazza, I think he was just so, so good,” he said.
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Why Sir Alex Ferguson woudn’t agree with Wayne Rooney’s pick of England hero Paul Gascoigne
Sir Alex Ferguson was a big admirer of Paul Gascoigne and the legendary former United manager famously tried to bring the England legend to Old Trafford.
Gascoigne is widely considered one of the best English players of all time and had a prolific playing career, including a memorable impact for England at Euro 96.
However, Ferguson previously claimed that United and England legend Charlton was “the greatest English player of all time” after the World Cup winner passed away.
“People loved him because of all those thunderbolt goals, but it was more than that,” Ferguson said in 2023, as per BBC Sport.
“My dad used to say that humility in success is a sign of greatness, and that was Bobby.
“He never used to boast about his own achievements – it was always about the team and the club.”
Charlton, who was a key part of England’s iconic 1966 World Cup-winning team, died at the age of 86 in 2023.