Wayne Rooney
England's former record goalscorer and Manchester United's all-time top scorer.
Wayne Mark Rooney (born 24 October 1985) is an English former professional football player and manager. 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. 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.
- Role
- Striker / Attacking Midfielder
- Affiliation
- England National Team
- Debut Year
- 2003
- Total Caps
- 120
- Total Goals
- 53
- Status
- Retired (International)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Rooney made his senior international debut for England in February 2003, aged 17, and is England's youngest-ever goalscorer. He played at UEFA Euro 2004 and scored four goals, briefly becoming the youngest goalscorer in the history of the European Championship, and was named in its Team of the Tournament. Rooney later featured at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups, and was widely regarded as his country's best player. He won the England Player of the Year award four times, in 2008, 2009, 2014, and 2015. With 53 goals in 120 international caps, Rooney is England's third-most-capped player (behind Peter Shilton and Harry Kane), and was the record goalscorer from 2015 to 2023, currently ranking second.
In Their Own Story
From his first senior cap in February 2003 at age 17, Rooney carried the weight of a nation's hopes. At Euro 2004, he announced himself on the world stage with four goals, briefly becoming the youngest scorer in the tournament's history. Through the highs and lows of four World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014) and multiple European Championships, he was the focal point of England's attack. His four England Player of the Year awards reflect his sustained excellence. When he finally stepped away, he left as the nation's record goalscorer (53 goals) and third-most-capped player (120 caps), a legacy that places him among England's all-time greats.
Reader's Guide
Rooney began his club career at Everton, making his senior debut in August 2002. He joined Manchester United in 2004 for £25.6 million. He won 16 trophies with United, including five Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League. He returned to Everton in 2017, then moved to D.C. United in Major League Soccer, and later to Derby County. He retired in January 2021.
Did You Know?
- Rooney is England's youngest-ever goalscorer.
- He is the only player to have both 200 goals and 100 assists in the Premier League.
- He scored a hat-trick on his Manchester United debut in the Champions League.
- Rooney won the BBC Goal of the Season on three occasions.
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