Rooney has been dropped for the World Cup qualifier against Slovenia tonight after struggling against Malta at the weekend.
It compounds a miserable few weeks for the 30-year-old, who was also demoted to the bench by Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho for recent Premier League games against Leicester and Stoke.
Rooney has been a regular for club and country for well over a decade, but his poor form has led to many to suggest that he’s burned-out.
The rise and fall of Wayne Rooney on FIFA
Tue, September 27, 2016Express Sport brings you the rise and fall of Wayne Rooney on FIFA
Express Sport brings you the rise and fall of Wayne Rooney on FIFA
And Southgate has questioned whether the United skipper has been cared for enough over the years.
“It talks volumes for his (Rooney’s) leadership. He was very clear from when spoke he wanted to do this,” the acting England manager said.
“You can see how well he has spoken and what it means for him to captain his country. People forget those who haven’t turned out for their country and focus on those who have and I don’t understand that.
“I remember [former England manager] Sven Goran-Eriksson saying, ‘look after him (Rooney) as he is our future’ and I’m not sure we have always done that.”
Rooney is England’s most-capped outfield player of all time having amassed a huge 117 caps since making his debut in February 2003.
He has scored 53 goals in the time since, making him his country’s top scorer in the process.