Wayne Rooney: I'd Love To Captain England Again

By Edward Pearce

Wayne Rooney says he would love to wear the captain's armband again after skippering an injury-ravaged England side in Saturday's 1-0 friendly loss to Brazil.

Rooney led England out after their usual captain John Terry was ruled unfit due to an ankle injury the day before the match.

The striker cut a frustrated figure as the favourites for next year's World Cup outclassed an England side missing nine regulars, but was typically committed to the cause both during and after the game.

"I am really proud to have been captain. I was delighted to get the job. It was a great thing for me to lead the England side out although I wanted the win," said Rooney, as quoted by the Press Association.

"You dream when you are a kid of doing that and don't think it will ever happen - but it has - and my family will be full of pride as well.

"Fabio [Capello] told me on Friday on the training pitch that if JT [John Terry] wasn't fit, I would be captain. I wanted JT to be fit but I am delighted when the manager praises me.

"He is a top-class manager who has won trophies and it is nice to hear."

However, in true Rooney style, it was the success of the team that concerned him most.

The 24-year-old added: "I'd love to have another go at the captaincy in the future if the chance ever came along. But I wanted the win and I think we can play a lot better.

"Obviously they scored early in the second half when we were a bit slow but we had a lot of players missing.

"The first half was quite even overall but in the second half they were the better side and deserved the victory.

"I try my hardest. That is the kind of player I am. I did not change my game too much. It wasn't going my way at times but at least I tried my hardest."

Rooney went on to reiterate his belief that England could overcome Brazil with a full strength side.

"When you look at it, that was probably Brazil's strongest side bar one or two players missing but we had nine or 10 regulars not available," he added.

"Any team would find that difficult to overcome, missing so many quality players, especially playing against someone like Brazil.

"But at full strength we definitely would give them a better game and could match them."

Rooney has only captained Manchester United twice, but has been tipped as a future long-term leader both by manager Fabio Capello and current incumbent John Terry.

How is England's lack of youth development hurting the national team? Find out in the November issue of Goal.com Magazine.