TRNAVA, Slovakia (AP) Wayne Rooney has overtaken David Beckham to become England’s most-capped outfield player.
The 30-year-old Rooney made his 116th international appearance in Sunday’s World Cup qualifier against Slovakia, which was Sam Allardyce’s first game as England coach.
The striker has been retained as captain by Allardyce but says he plans to retire from international duty after the 2018 World Cup. By then, Rooney will hope to have broken the England appearance record of 125 set by goalkeeper Peter Shilton between 1970 and 1990.
Rooney made his England debut in 2003 as a 17-year-old. Although Rooney has won every major title with Manchester United, the furthest he has reached in a tournament with England is the quarterfinals at the 2004 European Championship and 2006 World Cup.
