It seems like forever since Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene and scored that incredible goal for Everton back in 2002 just five days shy of his 17th birthday. It’s remarkable to think think that the Manchester United forward is still only 25-years-old and just starting to edge into his prime years.
I’m sure many people, back when Rooney was still a teenager, would have thought that by now he’d be captaining his country and the irrepressible poster boy of English football. There are some who still campaign for Rooney to be handed the armband at the expense of John Terry. However, does he actually encompass the ‘role model’ image and set a good example to the youth of our generation?
Regrettably for Rooney his footballing talents and on the field influence will always be overshadowed by events in his personal life. Then again John Terry committed some pretty damning acts and is still captaining his country. Fabio Capello selected him purely on his abilities on the field. The same could be said for Rooney with many fans highlighting his drive, energy and commitment as reasons for him to take over and be England’s inspirational driving force.
Sadly the role requires an individual with a clean record and extraordinary levels of moral fibre. There are duties on the pitch as well as off it and setting a high example to the younger generation and appreciating what it means to be a professional footballer is top of the list. Then again with the national team failing miserably maybe its time we had a skipper with a bit of edge.
Rooney hasn’t exactly manufactured the best image for himself over the last nine years. Sure he is a fantastic footballer but his actions off the field have brought him a bad reputation. His infidelities have seen his face splashed all over the papers along with being panned for his foul-mouthed rant into the camera earlier this year after he’d scored in Man Utd’s win against West Ham. Lets not forget last season when he threatened to leave Old Trafford claiming they couldn’t match his ambitions!
His behaviour and decision making isn’t that of a wholesome England captain. Despite all of that, it could be said that the captaincy may actually bring out the best in Rooney both on and off the pitch. The responsibility that comes with captaining your country is huge and the pressure to maintain the image of a moral and virtuous footballer could have a positive effect on him. Seeing the England captain embroiled in affairs and foul-mouthed rants isn’t the image they are expected to portray.