Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney off to the Indian Super League?
Not content with breaking records for England, Wayne Rooney could be taking the next step in his footballing career. It involves leaving Manchester United and travelling to India. No, it is not a belated gap-year nor is it a crazy transfer deal. Instead, Rooney will indeed become the ‘next Pele’ by following the Brazilian legends footsteps and travel to India like a footballing deity to promote the beautiful game.
India is one of the fastest-growing nations in the world, and a rise in population means a fantastic opportunity for football to grow. Manchester United are one of the most popular teams in the world and are widely seen as the most supported English team. So therefore Wayne Rooney is the perfect choice to spread the sport due to his status as a modern icon in the game.
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Pele will be in town in October as the guest of honour at Atletico de Kolkata’s first home game of the season. The return of Pele to the city marks 38 years since he last played there. He played for the New York Cosmos in an exhibition game.
Unlike Pele, Rooney would visit in November, a month later than the Brazilian. The Indian Super League opens it’s second season in October after a successful first-season. Stars such as Alessandro Del Piero, Freddie Ljunberg, Robert Pires and David Trezeguet were all on show. There was also David James, Mikael Silvestre and Andre Santos. A real mix of footballing characters.
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Sourav Ganguly, who co-owns Indian Super League franchise Atletico de Kolkata claimed that Wayne Rooney would indeed be visiting India on this sort of Footballing Pilgrimage to promote the Indian Super League’s second season. Sourav Ganguly is one of India’s most decorated cricketers. He has juggled TV hosting and Indian Premier League cricket appearances with a joint-footballing venture.
Ganguly said, according to the Times of India:
"“Rooney will be coming here as part of the ISL, so it will not just be about Pele.”"
The city of Kolkata is very big on football. The city has seen footballing greats from all over the world play games there from Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi to Diego Forlan and Oliver Kahn. Although they won’t be playing, seeing Pele and Rooney in India is great for the fans.
But, there is a catch it seems. An unnamed source quoted by many outlets in India dispelled the rumours as simply rumours and pointed to Rooney’s England commitments as a stumbling block.
"“It’s a rumour. How can Rooney come? England are supposed to play two friendlies (against Spain on November 13 and France on November 17).”"
Rooney is now the indisputable face of the England team now he is both captain and record goalscorer. He even earned special praise from Lionel Messi who is seen as being, according to some, even better than Pele. Which means he won’t be missing from England duty anytime soon even if it is just a friendly because Euro 2016 is now on the horizon.
Before he can think about his future promotional duties, Rooney must don the Manchester United shirt again and lead them out against bitter rivals Liverpool as the Premier League returns this weekend after the international break. A successful international round of games for Manchester United players should prove helpful in getting the right result against Liverpool on Saturday evening.
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