Rooney Reflects on Iconic Goals and Emotional Moments in Football

Wayne Rooney has hailed Robin van Persie’s stunning volley against Aston Villa as the greatest goal in Premier League history. This remarkable strike occurred during a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford, which marked Manchester United’s last league title in 2013.

In an episode of The Wayne Rooney Show, he remarked, “For me, that’s the best goal in Premier League history. We had practiced it in training because I knew James Collins and another center back weren’t the fastest. I played deeper than Robin in midfield and told him, ‘If I get the ball with time, just run. I’ll find you.’

During the match, when the ball came to me, I took a touch, noticed him making his run, and delivered what I believe was the best pass of my career. It was perfectly timed so that he didn’t need to break his stride, and his finish was extraordinary, clinching his hat-trick. We won the league that day.”

Rooney also reflected on a crucial moment from two years prior, when he scored an important goal against West Ham that significantly contributed to United’s 2010-11 title win. Trailing 2-0, United rallied to score four goals in just 19 minutes, ultimately winning 4-2 and overcoming rivals Arsenal and Chelsea. Rooney’s passionate celebration, which included swearing at the camera, resulted in a two-match suspension from the Football Association and led to him missing the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City, which United lost.

He described the match atmosphere as hostile, recalling, “I believe we were down 2-0, and I was already frustrated until I scored the first goal and then the second. After getting a penalty for my hat-trick, I scored to make it 3-2. The West Ham fans had been giving me a hard time, and my reaction towards the camera was likely aimed at them.”

Rooney elaborated on his emotional response, stating, “I was simply celebrating, and emotions took over. I don’t understand why I did it, but it happened. The FA investigated and imposed a two-game ban, which was unexpected since bans are typically one or three games. I was disappointed to miss the semi-final, and we ended up losing.

“It’s frustrating because there are far worse things in football than showing emotion after scoring. It’s not always directed at someone, yet it gets punished. The FA and broadcasters should recognize that when cameras are in close proximity, they must be prepared for such moments, as football is an emotional sport.”

Throughout his career, Rooney has cherished many memorable encounters with West Ham, including scoring his only hat-trick with Everton at Goodison Park and a remarkable goal from the halfway line during a 2014 match with United at Upton Park, shortly after Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.

He noted, “Ferguson would often get upset with me for attempting long-range shots. I tried it frequently, and while it doesn’t always work, when it does, it creates unforgettable moments, much like David Beckham’s iconic goal against Wimbledon. Such moments linger in people’s memories.

“The greatest players in football history are those who embrace risks. Icons like Maradona and Pele, along with contemporary stars such as Messi and Ronaldo, are unafraid to miss. It’s essential to take those chances. Harry Kane exemplifies this mindset. Ultimately, the best players are those willing to miss, as it is through those attempts that they often score the extraordinary. This is what sets them apart.”