If you’re a sophomore, chances are you’re fighting for a spot on the varsity roster. In his second year, English football phenom Wayne Rooney was fighting for one of 11 starting spots for the English Premier League’s Everton F.C. Now a striker for Manchester United, Rooney, at 24, has published his first autobiography, Wayne Rooney: My Story.
Rooney shares how he got to the pro circuit, detailing the beginning of his growth—from his childhood upbringing in a working-class family in Liverpool, to getting called up to Everton at a young age and finally settling down with Man U.
Whether you love him or hate him, one thing is true about Rooney: he is extremely passionate and emotional. As a youth player, he was viewed as the next big thing, but when tempers flared and red cards flew, people began to wonder if Rooney would ever be able to accomplish anything due to his lack of discipline. Now the awards and trophies keep piling up.
A pro soccer star playing for the biggest club in the world may seem like an easy life, but the media and the pressure can often get to players, and Rooney is no exception. Read the full story of this English football star to get a glimpse of what life is like in the limelight.
STACK’s Take: This is a great book for England supporters getting ready for the World Cup. I’m a Liverpool fan; but clubs aside, Rooney knows the game and how to talk about all aspects of it. His passion for soccer is clearly evident in his writing.