Sport

Wales have called up exciting Manchester City teenager Rabbi Matondo for their friendly in Albania.

The 18-year-old has won six caps at under-21 level, but this is the first time the forward has been part of the senior squad.

Matondo has been a regular goalscorer for City's Under-23 side this season, and lays claim to being even faster than first-team stars such as Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Kyle Walker.

"We did fitness tests and obviously we had to do 20-metre sprints and other things as well," Matondo said in an October interview with WalesOnline.

"It turned out my time was the fastest in the academy, and it later came out that it was the fastest in the whole club.

"I'm not too sure about that personally, but that's what they said, and as you know there's some really fast players at Manchester City."

Liverpool-born Matondo is qualified to represent England and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where his father Dada is from and where he played football for several clubs.

Although playing in Albania will not commit Matondo to Wales as it is not a competitive fixture, he has said that he sees his international future with Ryan Giggs' side.

"I'm really happy and honoured to say that I'm Welsh," said Matondo, a former pupil of Llanishen High School in Cardiff.

Wayne Rooney has revealed that some former England players are jealous of the Three Lions' current success.

The former captain has spoken to ex-players who have struggled to grasp England's appeal after they reached the World Cup semi-finals in the summer.

Rooney played in a side labelled the 'Golden Generation' who failed to live up to their potential and never got past a major quarter-final.

And the country's 53-goal record scorer, who played his final game in Thursday's friendly 3-0 win over the USA, admits some retired stars cannot handle England's progress.

"I know there are some ex-players who I've spoken to who can't come to terms with England doing well," Rooney told several national newspapers ahead of Sunday's Nations League showdown with Croatia.

"That is wrong. I'm not like that. I'm a fan now. I want England to do well. I'm proud to have played for England so many times and I always have been.

"I've had my time. I'm happy with what I've contributed to the national team and I look forward now to the next few years and watching this team progress.

"I've enjoyed being around Gareth (Southgate), the players, the coaching staff and seeing how it's all developing.

"I wouldn't say I've got regret (over my England career). The main thing is that I can look back and say to myself I gave everything. It didn't always work. It didn't always pay off. But I have given everything when playing for England and I've tried to make us successful.

"Sometimes everything just isn't enough. But no, I've got no regrets. I've had my time and it didn't quite work out in terms of trophies. I'm happy with my international career and I'll always look back and be proud of what I achieved for England."