Wayne Rooney talks about his addiction problems. © APA/AFP / OLI SCARFF

Wayne Rooney: “Without my wife I would be dead”

England's football icon Wayne Rooney says he owes his survival to his wife Coleen.

September 25, 2025

From: dpa

She helped him get his "massive" alcohol problems under control, the former Manchester United star said in a podcast hosted by his former teammate Rio Ferdinand. "I honestly believe: If it weren't for her, I'd be dead."

Rooney: She recognized my alcohol problem early on

"She took care of me because I needed someone to look out for me," said the 39-year-old, who met his wife as children. "Even when I was 17, she recognized and knew I was a little over the top. She helped me a lot to control that."

Coleen has been at Rooney's side for over 20 years. © afp / OLI SCARFF

Rooney reported excessive alcohol consumption at a young age and at the beginning of his football career. "I would come to training, score two goals at the weekend, and then go out drinking for two days," said the former star striker. During his time at Manchester United, he tried to hide his drinking from manager Alex Ferguson with chewing gum, mouthwash, and eye drops.

Record goalscorer for England and Manchester United

Despite his antics, which eventually made headlines in the British tabloid press, Rooney enjoyed great success as a footballer. He is Manchester United's record goalscorer and England's second-best goalscorer behind current captain Harry Kane.

He occasionally got into trouble for his drinking later on. In 2017, he was convicted of drunk driving in the UK and banned from driving for two years. A year later, he was fined for a similar offense in the US.