Navigating Fame and Family: The Rooney Holiday in Barbados

The Rooney family recently enjoyed a holiday in Barbados at the beginning of 2026, where Coleen and Wayne were accompanied by their four sons, creating opportunities for bonding and meaningful discussions.

Coleen reportedly felt emotional about the paths that their eldest son, Kai, is currently exploring. Concerned about the pitfalls of fame that her husband, ex-England captain Wayne, faced, she is eager for Kai to navigate his journey wisely.

A source revealed to Closer, “Their holiday was an ideal time for the family to reconnect, and Coleen seized the moment to advise Kai that if he is committed to pursuing a football career, it must take precedence. While she has no objections to him having a girlfriend, she understands how swiftly life can lead young people in various directions. Kai is not merely another academy player; he is Wayne Rooney’s son, which brings its own set of attention and expectations. Coleen aims to keep him grounded.”

Kai, who frequently shares his skills on social media and seems to have inherited his father’s goal-scoring talent, is currently playing for Manchester United’s U18 team and hopes to transition to the senior squad soon.

He has been romantically linked to aspiring model Jackson, with reports indicating they enjoyed a date night at Nando’s in September 2025, though their relationship has been described as “on and off” in recent months.

Closer’s insider commented, “This is Kai’s first girlfriend, and Coleen remembers that period of life vividly. While it’s a typical experience for a young person, Coleen recognizes it’s unlikely to be Kai’s only relationship, unlike her own experience with Wayne.”

Wayne and Coleen met at age 12 and began dating in 2002. Closer noted Coleen’s efforts to keep Kai focused, stating, “Coleen thinks Rosa is a lovely girl, and there is no animosity. However, she has advised Kai to prioritize building his career and understanding himself before settling down. Having not experienced that luxury herself, she desires a different path for him. She has witnessed how quickly fame can emerge and how perilous it can be while still discovering one’s identity.”

They continued, “Coleen understands the intoxicating nature of young love and the distractions that come with it. She aims for Kai to maintain a clear focus—there will be ample time for relationships in the future. She wants to ensure Kai avoids the mistakes his father made in the public eye, emphasizing the importance of being confident in himself and any relationship he chooses to pursue.”

Kai, who will turn 17 in November 2026, still has much to learn both on and off the field. He enjoys unique opportunities, with his parents keen to help him make the most of them.

A source from Closer added, “Coleen becomes emotional reflecting on how rapidly everything is progressing. One moment he’s her little boy, and the next, there’s talk of him being the next big star. She wants to protect him from undue pressure and encourage him to enjoy football for its own sake rather than for external expectations. She is not discouraging him from falling in love; rather, she urges him not to lose sight of himself.”

Kai is already developing a knack for winning trophies with United’s youth teams and is being recognized as a potential senior star. Meanwhile, Wayne, Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer with 253 goals, would relish the prospect of witnessing another Rooney taking the field at Old Trafford.