David Beckham, Gary Lineker, Geoff Hurst: certain English soccer players have left an indelible mark on the minds of the sport’s most ardent fans. At LEC, we like to think that this is also true of Wayne Rooney, who turns 30 today, October 24, 2015. To celebrate, why not plan your next football language trip with our organization, our team would like to tell you a little more about him—and take this opportunity to wish him a very happy birthday!
From Liverpool to Manchester United, via Everton FC
Wayne Rooney plays for Manchester, thinks Manchester, lives Manchester, breathes Manchester. Yet—scandal!—the footballer, now in his thirties, was born in the city of Manchester’s archrival: he was born in Liverpool on October 24, 1985. Trained at Everton FC, a Premier League club, he began his professional career there… before moving a few dozen miles east in 2004. His exceptional career at Manchester United could then begin.
An exceptional record with Manchester United
With the Red Devils, Wayne Rooney has racked up a list of achievements that would make many professional soccer players green with envy. A few examples? He has won:
- 5-time English Premier League champion
- 3 League Cup titles
- 1 Champions League title
- 1 FIFA Club World Cup
At the start of the 2014–2015 season, the team’s new coach, Louis van Gaal, would hand him the captain’s armband.
Wayne Rooney, England's all-time leading scorer
As you may be reminded during your soccer language study trip to England, Wayne Rooney is one of the most prolific strikers of his generation. In September 2015, he broke the record for the most goals scored for the English national team, a record previously held by Bobby Charlton. And he did so when he wasn’t even 30 years old.