Wayne Rooney likely to visit India: Report

New Delhi: India's national football team may have failed to won accolades, but some of the biggest names in the sport are likely to visit the country soon. According to a report in the Times of India, England forward Wayne Rooney has plans to visit India in November.

The report claimed that former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, a co-owner of Atletico de Kolkata, has confirmed Rooney's visit. The Manchester United captain is expected to promote the Indian Super League, which starts in the first week of November.

Interestingly, Brazil legend Pele also confirmed his India visit this October on Monday. Regarded as the best football player ever, the 74-year-old is visiting India after 38 years, and will grace the Subruto Cup final, and likely to meet hosts of Indian sporting heroes, including Sachin Tendukar.

Rooney recently became the leading scorer for his country by overtaking Bobby Charlton's tally of 49 goals during England's 2016 Euro qualifier match against Switzerland.

The dates of Rooney's India visit have not yet been confirmed, but with United having a break from November 8 to 20, the striker is likely to utilise this window.

Meanwhile, India suffered a 0-3 defeat at the hands of Asian power-house Iran in an AFC Second Round qualifier for 2018 FIFA World Cup on September 8 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bangalore.