Rooney Makes History, Scores A Record 50th Goal For England

England captain, Wayne Rooney made history by breaking Sir Bobby Charton’s all-time England goalscoring record in the Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland at Wembley.

He equaled Charlton’s tally of 49 goals with a penalty in the victory against San Marino on Saturday and was on the spot again late on Tuesday in the 2-0 win over Switzerland for goal number 50 to erase a record that has stood for 45 years.

Rooney, expressing his excitement said it was a dream come true for him and he has set his sights on adding to his tally.

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“It’s a great feeling,”

“I’ve been close for the last few games and it’s a dream come true.

“I’ve got a lot of football in me for England. I hope the goals don’t stop.”

He continued;

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“It’s a very special night for me and my family. A night I will never forget.

“I was very nervous stepping up to take the penalty. I knew it was such a big moment for me and my career. The players said to me afterwards it was like being at a concert because there were so many flashes from phones in the crowd.

“It’s a huge honour because Sir Bobby Charlton is an England and Manchester United legend. I know Sir Bobby will be extremely proud that a Manchester United captain has broken the record.”

He was also handed a commemorative England shirt by Coach Roy Hodgson in the dressing room after the match, and made a speech in front of his colleagues.

“Nights like this you don’t forget,” he added. “When you create a bit of history it’s a great feeling. It was really nice of the players and the manager to present me with a shirt afterwards.”

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England coach, Roy Hodgson, applauded Rooney’s achievement, saying he could reach a tally of 65 goals for England.

“You would like to think we are on about 10 games a year and maybe if we ever did very well in a tournament a bit more – that is at least to 2018,” 

“So you are talking 20, maybe even 30 games, so it could be like 10 to 15 goals. 

“I know he is really delighted. He will tell you what a proud moment it is for him and his family. I also know, as a team man, he will be thinking ‘how can I help England become a better team?’, ‘can I make certain – like Bobby Charlton – I end up as a winner in a tournament or help England do very well?’ 

“You can’t do much better than be number one in the goalscoring list, but I still want to say a word for Bobby Charlton. He is obviously a legend and one of the finest players I ever saw and I don’t think we will diminish or debase Bobby’s legendary status. 

“With him and Wayne Rooney we are talking about two of the finest football players in England and I’m lucky enough to have one still playing and that I can use him.” 

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The coach who handed Rooney the captaincy in August 2014, said the striker has repaid his trust in him.

“His maturity has impressed me, the way he has accepted the captaincy,” 

“I don’t think it has surprised me because I gave him the captaincy. I believed in him and trusted him and I’m really pleased with the way he has taken on the extra burden. 

“The other thing that impresses me is his constant passion and enthusiasm in every training session, meetings and in games. He’s not thinking ‘I’ve got 50 goals, I’m a legend’. He is still out there working as hard as a young 19-year-old, who is playing his first game in the team. 

“The FA made a presentation of a shirt with a number 50 on and the players greeted him with great delight and when the shirt was given to him I provoked him into giving a speech. 

“It was a very good speech, but fairly short. But the one thing I can tell you, and what struck me, was how proud he was to achieve that and how determined he is not to stop at 50 goals.” 

Fellow striker, Harry Kane, who scored the opener in the game against Switzerland, was pleased for Rooney and hoped he scores many more for England. 

“I’m delighted for Wayne. I hope he goes on to score many more for his country. I’m slowly sneaking up. I’ve got a long way to go.”

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