Wayne Rooney

Who is Wayne Rooney?

Wayne Mark Rooney (born 24 October 1985) is an English former professional football player and manager. He spent most of his playing career as a forward but was also used in various midfield roles. He is Manchester United's top goalscorer of all time with 253 goals and was the all-time English top goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League (34) from 2011 to 2024. Rooney was named the FIFPRO Young Player of the Year in 2004–05, selected in the ESM Team of the Season for 2009–10, and included in the 2011 FIFA FIFPRO World XI. In 2025, Goal named him one of the best players never to have won the Ballon d'Or; his highest finish was 5th place in 2011. After emerging as one of England's top young talents at Everton, Rooney later joined Manchester United in 2004 for £25.6 million.

He was named the PFA Young Player of the Year in his debut season before being voted the PFA Fans' Player of the Year in 2005–06 at 20 years old.

Historical significance

Widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation, Rooney is considered one of the greatest players in Premier League history, having won five league titles and remaining the only player to have recorded both 200 goals and 100 assists in the competition.