Wayne Rooney's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Wayne Rooney. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Wayne Rooney is a former English professional football player and current manager. He most recently managed Plymouth Argyle in the EFL Championship. A prominent figure in English football, Rooney is celebrated for his playing career.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2002: BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year

In December 2002, Wayne Rooney was named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year.

February 2003: Senior International Debut for England

In February 2003, at the age of 17, Wayne Rooney made his senior international debut for England and became England's youngest-ever goalscorer.

February 2003: Youngest player to play for England

On February 12, 2003, Wayne Rooney became the youngest player to play for England, earning his first cap in a friendly match against Australia at the age of 17 years and 111 days.

June 2004: UEFA Euro 2004 Performance

In June 2004, during the UEFA Euro 2004, Wayne Rooney became the youngest scorer in the competition's history on June 17, 2004, by scoring twice in England's match against Switzerland. Rooney added two more goals against Croatia on June 21. However, he suffered an injury against Portugal on June 24. Despite the injury, he was named in UEFA's Team of the Tournament.

2004: Youngest player to score for England

In 2004, at the age of 17 years and 317 days, Wayne Rooney became the youngest player to score for England in a UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying match against Macedonia.

January 2005: BBC Goal of the Season

On 29 January 2005, Rooney scored his second goal in the FA Cup against Middlesbrough, a volley hit with the outside of his right foot from the edge of the 18-yard box, and was named BBC Goal of the Season.

2006: Premier League Title

Wayne Rooney collected his first Premier League title winner's medal at the end of the 2006-07 season.

October 2008: Youngest player to make 200 Premier League appearances

On October 4, 2008, Wayne Rooney became the youngest player to reach 200 Premier League appearances in an away victory over Blackburn.

2008: England Player of the Year 2008

In 2008, Wayne Rooney won the England Player of the Year award.

December 2009: Man of the Match against Hull City

On December 27, 2009, Rooney was awarded Man of the Match against Hull City, contributing to all goals in a 3-1 victory.

2009: PFA and FWA Footballer of the Year Awards

For the 2009-10 season, Wayne Rooney won the PFA Players' Player of the Year and the FWA Footballer of the Year awards.

2009: England Player of the Year 2009

In 2009, Wayne Rooney won the England Player of the Year award.

January 2010: Four goals against Hull

On January 23, 2010, Wayne Rooney scored all four goals in Manchester United's 4-0 victory over Hull City, marking the first time he had scored four goals in a single match.

May 2010: Liverpool Schoolboys Record Broken

In May 2010, the record of 72 goals in one season set by Wayne Rooney while playing for Liverpool Schoolboys was broken.

2010: Top scorer for England in 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign

In 2010, Wayne Rooney was the top scorer for England in their World Cup qualifying campaign with nine goals.

2010: Named PFA Players' Player of the Year

On April 25, 2010, Wayne Rooney was named the 2010 PFA Players' Player of the Year.

February 2011: Goal of the Season Award

In February 2011, Wayne Rooney's bicycle kick against Manchester City won the Premier League 20 Seasons Awards Best Goal award.

May 2011: Secures Premier League title for United

On May 14, 2011, Rooney scored a penalty for United to equalize in a 1–1 draw against Blackburn, securing a record 19th top division title for United.

October 2011: Highest-scoring Englishman in Champions League history

On October 18, 2011, Rooney scored two goals against Oțelul Galați in the Champions League, becoming the highest-scoring Englishman in Champions League history, surpassing Paul Scholes.

February 2012: 500th career game

On February 11, 2012, Rooney marked his 500th senior career game by scoring two goals as Manchester United beat rivals Liverpool 2–1 at Old Trafford.

October 2012: England's fifth-highest goalscorer

On October 12, 2012, Wayne Rooney became England's fifth-highest goalscorer of all time after scoring his 30th and 31st international goals in a 2014 World Cup qualifier against San Marino. He also captained England for the first time in a competitive match.

October 2013: All-time top goalscorer in competitive internationals

On October 11, 2013, Wayne Rooney became England's all-time top goalscorer in competitive internationals when he scored his 27th competitive goal in a 4–1 World Cup qualifier against Montenegro.

March 2014: Rooney Reaches Third Place on Club's All-Time Scoring List

In March 2014, Wayne Rooney scored two goals against West Ham, moving him to third place on Manchester United's all-time scoring list with 212 career goals.

September 2014: Rooney Becomes Third Highest Premier League Goalscorer

In September 2014, Wayne Rooney became the third-highest Premier League goalscorer with 176 goals, surpassing Thierry Henry, in a match against West Ham, where he was later sent off.

November 2014: 100th England cap

In November 2014, Wayne Rooney earned his 100th England cap against Slovenia in a Euro 2016 qualifying match, scoring a penalty to equalize in a 3–1 win.

2014: Top scorer in 2014 World Cup qualification campaign

Wayne Rooney ended the 2014 World Cup qualification campaign as England's top scorer with seven goals.

June 2015: Joint second in England's goalscoring list

In June 2015, Wayne Rooney scored the winning goal against Slovenia, putting him joint second in England's list of top goalscorers with 48 goals, alongside Gary Lineker.

September 2015: Breaking England's Goalscoring Record

In September 2015, Wayne Rooney broke Bobby Charlton's England goalscoring record, netting his 50th international goal in a Euro 2016 qualifying match against Switzerland. He also equaled Ashley Cole as his country's fifth-highest capped player. This was also Rooney's 300th professional career goal.

2015: England's Record Goalscorer

In 2015, Wayne Rooney became the record goalscorer for the England national team.

2015: England Player of the Year 2015

In 2015, Wayne Rooney won the England Player of the Year award.

January 2016: Rooney Surpasses Cole and Law in Scoring Charts

In January 2016, Wayne Rooney scored against Swansea, surpassing Andy Cole as the Premier League's second-top scorer and Denis Law in United's all-time scorers.

September 2016: Most-capped outfield player for England

In September 2016, Wayne Rooney earned his 116th appearance for England, becoming the nation's most-capped outfield player of all time. He also confirmed his plans to retire from international football after the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

November 2016: 100 Premier League Assists and All-Time Leading Scorer

In November 2016, Wayne Rooney achieved 100 Premier League assists and became Manchester United's all-time leading scorer in European competitions.

2016: Euro 2016 qualifying matches

In Euro 2016, Wayne Rooney played in qualifying matches.

2016: UEFA Euro 2016

In June 2016, during England's opening match of UEFA Euro 2016 against Russia, Wayne Rooney started in central midfield and was named man of the match. On June 27, 2016, he scored against Iceland in the round of 16 but England lost 2-1 and was eliminated from the tournament.

January 2017: Equals Bobby Charlton as Top Goalscorer

In January 2017, Wayne Rooney equaled Bobby Charlton as Manchester United's top goalscorer of all time after scoring against Reading in the FA Cup.

October 2018: Named MLS Player of the Month

In October 2018, Wayne Rooney was named 'MLS Player of the Month' after positive performances for D.C. United, including helping them to a play-off spot.

February 2021: Press recognition and Celtic job speculation

By mid-February 2021, Wayne Rooney's management of Derby County was praised, leading to speculation about him being a potential candidate for the Celtic job. However, the team's form declined, causing criticism of his management.