Let’s take a trip down memory lane to a warm August Champions League night at Old Trafford, a night when a young talented footballer named Wayne Rooney was about to make his debut. August 31 2004 was the day the world witness something truly special – the birth of a footballing legend.
The floodlights shining down on the Theatre of Dreams, inviting glow. The atomsphere in and around the stadium was pure excitement and anticipation as Manchester United prepared to take on Fenerbahce in the UEFA Champions League.
Wayne Rooney, an 18-year-old was pretty much talked about thru out the whole summer, he had an incredible season last year then he went to the Euro 2004 and played very well, played like a man not a teen, was a focal point for England. There was plenty of talks between Rooney going to Chelsea, Newcastle or Manchester United, Man Utd finally broke the records as the world’s most expensive teenager.
Wayne Rooney, an 18-year-old was pretty much talked about thru out the whole summer, he had an incrible season last year then he went to the Euro 2004 and played very well, played like a man not a teen, was a focal point for England. There was plently of talks between Rooney going to Chelsea, Newcastle or Manchester United, Man Utd broke the transfer records as the world’s most expensive teenager.
The game began with a sense of excitement and uncertainty, but all that uncertainty disappeared on 17th mins for the young Englishman to announce his arrival on the grandest stage. Ruud van Nistelrooy passed the ball into Wayne’s feet and he strike it home. With a burst of speed reminiscent of his Euro 2004 exploits, he left the Fenerbahce defence in his wake. The goal was a thing of beauty – a left-footed strike that left the Turkish goalkeeper helpless.
But Rooney wasn’t done yet. Oh no, he had more magic up his sleeves. Just 11 minutes later, he showed us his versatility and composure. Ryan Giggs played a simple pass to him, but what happened next was sheer brilliance. Rooney let the ball run across his body, taking a touch that was poetry in motion, and unleashed a thunderous shot from 25 yards out. Two goals on his debut, it must of felt like a dream.
As if that wasnt enough, Rooney was about to complete his hattrick on his debut now this would be a dream debut, and he did it with some style too. A free-kick just outside the penalty area presented itself as the perfect opportunity. With the confidence after scoring 2 goals already, Rooney stepped up to the plate and curled the ball over the wall, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance. 3 goals on his debut in the Champions League, it was legendary.
What separates Rooney’s debut wasnt just the goals it was the way he played the game fearless, determined and full of passion, a sense of belonging here or he was suppose to always be at that club or on a stage like this. It was a breath of fresh air, a young English lad who just wanted to play football with the heart of a lion. Every time he got onto the ball you could sense the excitement ripple thru the crowds in the stadium. Wayne had something special, that X-factor that sets the greats apart from the rest.
Manchester United won the game 6-2 but the scoreline was secondary to the heroics and performance by Wayne Rooney. The young man had not only justified the hefty price tag but had also given a glimpse of the extraordinary career that lay ahead.
Rooney had many great nights like these, but this was something truely speical, to start a Champions League game on your debut as a 18 year ago with the pressure of the most expensive teenager ever, with all this on his shoulders he just played like he was playing with with friends in a local park.
Catch you in the next one.