Well, isn’t that…? In fact: A world star on the village sports field!
At the international e-youth tournament of the Berlin club Berolina Stralau, ER suddenly appeared: Wayne Rooney (36)!
England’s record goalscorer (53 goals in 120 international matches) strolled across the field without bodyguards, in short gray trousers. He and wife Coleen (36) wanted to watch their son Klay Anthony (8). He plays for Manchester United and is so talented that he can play for ten-year-olds.
Klay Anthony Rooney was number 8 on the match sheet. He then wore the 12 on the pitch. Small and agile, the style of play was quite similar to the former super clipper Rooney senior.
Papa Wayne to BamS: “It’s a nice weekend activity. The tournament is well organized. My season is already over, so it made sense.” With the insolvent club Derby County, he has just been relegated to the third division as a coach.
But the ex-striker didn’t bring luck to Filius. Man United finished just eighth out of 16 teams. Winner: 1. FC Union Berlin.
But Rooney didn’t pay attention to goals and titles. “The boy is only eight, so you can’t tell how talented he is. I have great memories of tournaments like this when I was a kid. The most important thing is that children at that age have fun playing.”
And so Rooney casually leaned against the railing, drank a beer or two, like other fathers do. Wife Coleen spoke to other parents, the Manchester United delegation was large.
Rooney was asked to take selfies again and again, and did so with the patience of an angel until he “escaped” to the other side of the square. But even then he didn’t rest for long.
“I hope to be a regular father on the sidelines. I’m not acting like a trainer. I just enjoy watching my son play. Whenever I have time, I support my children. I have four sons, so I can’t always be with all of them,” he says.
Even in the breaks between games, he left his boy alone. Only after the last game did both have contact. Rooney lifted Klay Anthony into the air and romped with him briefly across the lawn.
And what does he say about his club of life, Manchester United, where he is the all-time top scorer with 253 goals? Will coach Ralf Rangnick and superstar Cristiano Ronaldo still be friends? Rooney laughs: “I don’t want to say anything about that. I just want to enjoy how the little ones play. I’m a manager at another club so I’m only here to support my son and not otherwise involved with Man United.”
Spoke it and left the sports field after four hours with his wife and son. Just a proud football dad…
