Ballon d'Or: Wayne Rooney Profile

United's hero stakes a claim...

Nov 23, 2009 3:25:00 AM

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Wayne Rooney

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WAYNE ROONEY
Club: Manchester United
Country: England
Age: 24 (DOB October 24 1985)
Position: Attacker
Previous Placings: None

As the heartbeat for club and country, Wayne Rooney enjoyed a year to remember in 2009 which contained World Cup qualification and another Premier League title.

A stunning campaign for England saw him net nine goals to help the team get over the dejection of failing to make Euro 2008. Rooney also added the Club World Cup trophy to the burgeoning collection of winner’s medals he has obtained at Manchester United.

Freed from the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo this season, he has revelled in the role of top dog on the domestic scene. Out of the running for this Ballon d’Or, he has laid the foundations for a momentous 2010 which could see him top of the tree in twelve months time.

Attributes

Became a father for the first time with the arrival of Kai Wayne Rooney in November
Re-discovered the scintillating international form which introduced him to the world in 2004
Lifted the Premier League title for the third successive year
Is near the top of the Premier League goalscorer’s list
Captained England for the first time in the recent friendly with Brazil

They Say...

"I've had the honour of playing with some great players. At [Manchester] United I had Cristiano [Ronaldo] in my team and, obviously, I have [Lionel] Messi in the national team. But the one I like the most is Wayne Rooney. He is very complete, plus we share the same humble origins, though what he experienced growing up in Liverpool was a bit more bearable than mine in Fuerte Apache!" Carlos Tevez speaking to the News of the World.

Prediction

Rooney stands no chance of lifting the Ballon d’Or on this occasion and can, at best, hope for a finish in the top half of the standings. With the World Cup on the horizon and the stage cleared at United with Ronaldo’s exit, 2009 has been about laying the groundwork for a stellar 2010 instead.