Rooney Returns to England National Team

Wayne Rooney will win his 120th England cap later this month after Gareth Southgate sanctioned a farewell appearance for the DC United forward against the United States at Wembley on Nov. 15, the English Football Association (FA) has announced.

The former Manchester United and Everton captain — England’s all-time leading scorer with 53 goals — has not represented his country since lining up against Scotland at Wembley in November 2016.

Rooney, 33, who had by that stage lost his regular starting spot at United under Jose Mourinho, was then omitted from a series of squads by manager Southgate before announcing his international retirement in August 2017, having initially targeted this year’s World Cup in Russia as his swansong.

But with Rooney ending his England career having made more appearances than any other outfield player, as well as eclipsing Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of England goals, Southgate and the FA has agreed to give Rooney the honour of a farewell appearance, at the same time as handing supporters the opportunity to show their appreciation of the former England captain.

The game against the U.S. — three days before the decisive Nations League clash with Croatia at Wembley — has been designated as a charity fund-raiser by the FA. Some of the monies raised will go towards the Wayne Rooney Foundation.

Sources had told ESPN FC of the plans on Sunday, and later in the day the FA said in a statement: “England’s fixture against the USA is to be called The Wayne Rooney Foundation International in support of the legend’s charitable interests.”