Wayne Rooney breaks down in tears in England dressing room as he is overcome with emotion after earning his 120th and final Three Lions cap
- Wayne Rooney made his final international appearance for England at Wembley
- The 33-year-old was presented with a commemorative trophy before USA clash
- The DC United striker was emotional when he got back into the dressing room
Wayne Rooney broke down in tears as he gave a farewell speech in the Wembley dressing-room after his 120th and final England appearance.
An emotional Rooney thanked players and staff for making him feel welcome and spoke about what his first game meant — and what it should mean to them.
The 33-year-old also backed Harry Kane to break his goalscoring record.
Wayne Rooney was in tears when he addressed England team-mates in the changing room
The 33-year-old was presented with a special trophy before the friendly against the USA
Rooney was joined on the pitch by his four sons, Cass, Klay, Kai and Kit, on the Wembley pitch
The veteran leaves the pitch as an England player at Wembley for the last time on Thursday
England’s all-time leading scorer couldn’t manage his 54th goal but he believes Kane, who presented him with a plaque before kick-off, will surpass his milestone.
'Before playing the game I asked Harry Kane to present me with the award because I believe he will beat my goal scoring record and I look forward to presenting him with the trophy,' said Rooney.
'The night went as I imagined it, a night I will remember forever. For us as a family to look back on, we will take great memories from it.
'It's a shame I couldn't get that goal - but if I did score it would have opened a whole new debate about whether it should count so maybe better I didn't!'
England now, without Rooney, head into Sunday's huge UEFA Nations League shoot-out against Croatia, where victory will secure top spot in Group 4 but defeat would result in finishing bottom and relegation.
The ex-Manchester United striker came on in the 58th minute and took the captain's armband
Rooney looked composed on his final outing but couldn't find the goal to cap it all off
Rooney stated his belief that his goal record for England will be beaten by Harry Kane
Instead, the DC United striker will be willing the World Cup semi-finalists on to greater heights from the sidelines.
'I think (England are) in very safe hands from what I've seen on the training pitch,' he said. 'How the players are getting coached is brilliant. How the players are responding to it is brilliant.
'It's a great group of young players who have got a really bright future. I'm sure in the next few years they will go close to being the next team to bring a trophy back for England.
'I hope they do. It'll be great for the country and I'll be one of the fans supporting them.'
Southgate added: 'We've got two days to prepare, we will look at their game tonight but we know pretty much all there is to know about Croatia.'
Rooney joined in the celebrations for England's third goal when Callum Wilson found the net
England's all-time leading scorer believes they are in safe hands with boss Gareth Southgate
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