The big news: Rooney set to depart national side
England captain Wayne Rooney is set to retire from international football after the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The 30-year-old Manchester United player is England’s all-time top scorer with 53 goals in 115 games. In Euro 2016, England were left red-faced after they were dumped out by Iceland in the round of 16. Rooney made his debut for England in 2003 and was only 17 years old then, and would eventually take the captain’s armband in August 2014.
With the World Cup two years away, Rooney will hope to leave the team with prized silverware. England, who are playing under new manager Sam Allardyce, will begin their 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Slovakia on Sunday.
Other top stories
- Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart is set to play the Italian league after his agent confirmed the move to Torino on a season-long loan from Manchester City.
- Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero has been charged by the English Football Association for violent misconduct during his side’s clash against West Ham last week. Aguero appeared to elbow Winston Reid during the game, which City won 3-1, and could miss out on facing Manchester United next week.
- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has signed Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez for deals in excess of £50 million in total. Mustafi and Perez have joined Arsenal from Deportivo La Coruna and Valencia respectively.
- Netherland’s assistant coach Marco van Basten is set to quit the team and take up a job with FIFA. Basten became the second man to quit Danny Blind's coaching staff after Dick Advocaat opted to leave Dutch team as well.
- Indian Super League club FC Goa have re-signed Gregory Arnolin, Luciano Sobrosa and striker Rafael Coelho for the third season of the tournament. The Goa team is currently training in Rio in coach Zico’s academy.