"Pickford and Rooney have played a combined 550 times for Everton and 202 times for England. Rooney is England's all-time leading scorer and holds the record for the most England appearances - 120 - by an outfield player. Pickford recently broke the record for most consecutive clean sheets by a Three Lions goalkeeper and, Rooney believes, is on his way to becoming the country's best ever in his position."
"When they meet, the prospect of ending 60 years of hurt for England's men's team this summer is high on the agenda. One will be at the World Cup as the undisputed number one, the other will be there as a pundit. "We need something as a nation to win," says Pickford, 32. "Any England ex-player... I don't think they'll ever be jealous. Everybody needs it, it's only going to push the England badge forward. It's football, it's going to make it grow.""
""We would be legends for life. When you've been so close it does hurt, but it's got to drive you. We've been so close to winning something for England, so we can take that leadership on and that experience on to bring it all together. "We know what it takes to get there and the commitment and dedication you need as a group of lads to get there. It's about getting over that final hurdle.""
"Pickford has played 82 times for England, having made his debut in a 0-0 draw against Germany in November 2017. He was first called up to the national squad 13 months earlier - as a late replacement for a World Cup qualifier in Slovenia - and, aged 22, made an instant impression on Rooney - by sitting next to him. "The first time I met you was when you were in the England squad," says Rooney. "I always remember being sat there and you got on the""
Pickford and Rooney are presented as strikingly similar, with shared respect and a love for club and country. Together they have made 550 appearances for Everton and 202 appearances for England. Rooney is England’s all-time leading scorer and holds the record for the most England appearances by an outfield player, while Pickford has broken the record for consecutive clean sheets for a Three Lions goalkeeper. Both connect their experiences to the goal of ending decades of disappointment for England’s men’s team. Pickford emphasizes the need for the nation to win and says former players will not be jealous, because success will strengthen the England badge. Rooney and Pickford frame the World Cup as a chance to apply leadership, commitment, and dedication to clear the final hurdle.
Read at www.bbc.com
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