The Boy who lived for Football

Shesh Ramachandran
Jul 10, 2017 · 5 min read

It was 12 am on a Wednesday morning, a school week. The alarm was buzzing, I didn’t need it, I was too excited to be asleep. In about 15 mins I was going to watch Wayne Rooney in a Manchester United Shirt for the first time.

Rooney scoring his 3rd against Fenerbahce on his Manutd debut

This was my 3rd full season as a Manutd fan, sure they had great players playing around the same time from Beckham to Scholes, Giggs to Van Nistelrooy. But here was this kid who was just a few years older than me, who I felt I discovered and I grew up with. It was like reading Harry Potter and watching Harry move on from Chocolate Frogs to Cho Chang.

I remember when the world and I first took notice of Wayne, I was watching the game live, when he curled that screamer against Arsenal for Everton. Plucking the ball out of the air with an exquisite first touch, turning and taking a second to make room for the shot and finally curling his effort with a third that ratted off the inside of the Bar and into the net. Not only did the goal manage to end Arsenal’s 30 match unbeaten run, it signaled the start of a hugely successful premier league career that divided opinion but was embellished with similar moments of greatness and genius.

His breakout moment however came 14 league goals later, when he became England’s latest obsession at Euro 2004. Scoring four goals during the league stages, he went on to capture the imagination of the watching public, especially Sir Alex’s, with his dynamic movement and blistering pace. With back to back man of the match performances Rooney was in effect carrying the team. Unfortunately, his tournament and consequently England’s chances ended tragically in Shakespeareanesque fashion when he injured his ankle against Portugal in the quarter finals.

Rooney in action against France in Euro 2004

He might have been injured, but his performances catapulted Rooney into the limelight, the torch had been passed from Owen to Rooney. His “made for burden” broad shoulders were going to be carrying the expectation of the inebriated and rowdy English football fan for another 10 years. Sadly though, this was to be the peak of Rooney’s international career in terms of his own personal scoring record, his other major tournament appearances were either clouded by injury or poor form. England would never see the best of Wayne again.

Rooney with Sir Alex

Rooney was hot property after the Euros, he subsequently signed for Manchester United during the summer after Euro 2004 and stayed on till 2017. He won millions of hearts and multiple trophies, breaking goal scoring records for both club and country in the process. He could pass, he could shoot, he could head; he was the complete number 10. He combined the flair of a continental European footballer with the workman like ethic of an Englishman. One moment he could be Kaka, floating past defenders and threading eye of the needle through balls, the next he could be Inzaghi or Raul scoring headers and tap ins from close range (skills which he would demonstrate to clinical effect in the four seasons post Ronaldo).

Rooney scoring in the last minute against Milan in 2007

While he himself preferred to play behind the striker, one of his most underrated achievements was his ability to play on the wings. Though most critics cite this as the reason he failed to fulfill his potential, there is no doubt that this ability was essential in United being so successful in Europe and England from 2006 to 2012. With the emergence of Ronaldo’s goal scoring abilities and his lack of interest in tracking back, Rooney was often deployed on the wing to balance the team and prevent 2 on 1 situations for the right or left backs. His attacking potency may have been blunted but it did not completely prevent him from scoring or providing goals. He was still able to contribute on an average more than 15 goals and 8 assists a season. He remains instrumental in Ronaldo’s rise, his defensive attributes coupled with his vision enabled Cristiano and the No 9 of the time to push up field without having to worry about tracking back.

A couple of years into his United career, his talent and potential was plain to see, but the one thing that really distinguished him from other precocious young footballers was his temperament. He loved the game with every inch of his being, with every breadth. He lived it, he loved it. His commitment to the team and cause was unparalleled. He would tear up and down the pitch with the unbridled fury of a woman scorned while he hunted down an opposing player when he lost possession. This probably was his most endearing attribute. Which card carrying football fan does not want to see a player play for the team he supports, run around like a mad man for a lost cause and make a last ditch crunching sliding tackle that brings the opposing player crashing to the ground while having no chance of touching the ball.

Ronaldo & Rooney

Ronaldo will forever remain the iconic United player of my generation, but Rooney will be the most cherished and loved. Not for his goals and assists but for the passion with which he played the game. We will always remember the name.

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