Wayne Rooney rules out England return for 2018 World Cup
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After calling time on his England career, #WayneRooney says he will not reverse his decision to play at the World Cup.
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Wayne Rooney has no intention to come out of international retirement to try and help England at the 2018 World Cup - should they qualify.
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England's record goalscorer called time on his career with the national team in August after falling out of favour with Gareth Southgate due to a lack of playing time at Manchester United.
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Two goals in his first two matches for Everton this season had led to calls for a recall, but Rooney retired before Southgate named his squad to play Malta and Slovakia.
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And the 31-year-old insists there will be no come back to help England in Russia next year, the striker believing it is time for the next generation to take the team forward.
_ "My mind is made up," Rooney, who was charged with drink driving on Friday, told talkSPORT. "I have seen it a few times, where players have come out of retirement and gone to tournaments - and it's not right.
_ "The lads who are trying to qualify for Russia will be the players that deserve to play in the tournament. So my decision has been made.
_ "I've had my time. I can't have any regrets. It's now time for some of the younger lads to step up and try to take it further.
_ "Of course I'll be watching. I've made it clear throughout my career that I love playing for England and want England to do well - and that remains.
_ "Now I won't be playing, I'll be watching with the same interest as everyone else. Hopefully we can go that next step in the tournament."
_
After calling time on his England career, #WayneRooney says he will not reverse his decision to play at the World Cup.
_
Wayne Rooney has no intention to come out of international retirement to try and help England at the 2018 World Cup - should they qualify.
_
England's record goalscorer called time on his career with the national team in August after falling out of favour with Gareth Southgate due to a lack of playing time at Manchester United.
_
Two goals in his first two matches for Everton this season had led to calls for a recall, but Rooney retired before Southgate named his squad to play Malta and Slovakia.
_
And the 31-year-old insists there will be no come back to help England in Russia next year, the striker believing it is time for the next generation to take the team forward.
_ "My mind is made up," Rooney, who was charged with drink driving on Friday, told talkSPORT. "I have seen it a few times, where players have come out of retirement and gone to tournaments - and it's not right.
_ "The lads who are trying to qualify for Russia will be the players that deserve to play in the tournament. So my decision has been made.
_ "I've had my time. I can't have any regrets. It's now time for some of the younger lads to step up and try to take it further.
_ "Of course I'll be watching. I've made it clear throughout my career that I love playing for England and want England to do well - and that remains.
_ "Now I won't be playing, I'll be watching with the same interest as everyone else. Hopefully we can go that next step in the tournament."
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