Wayne Rooney first gained national prominence in October 2002 when he became the youngest goal scorer in the history of the Premiership at 16 years of age. His goal was a sensational last-minute winner against the then-League champions Arsenal that consigned them to their first league defeat in almost a year.

He has also figured prominently in recent England international matches, after having become the youngest ever player to play for England, in a friendly against Australia, in February 2003. He has more recently set a record as youngest to score for England. Rooney also became the youngest player ever to score in the European Football Championships on 17 June 2004 when he scored twice against Switzerland. A Swiss player, Johan Vonlanthen, broke this last record against France four days later.

As a player, Rooney is noted not only for the deft touch and pace typical of a teenage virtuoso, but also for his strength and physical presence which are more usually the hallmarks of mature players. While constantly surrounded by media hype and observation since first bursting onto the scene in 2002, it was not until his phenomenal performances at the UEFA European Championships in Portugal during 2004 that he truly gained a reputation on the world stage as he spearheaded the English attack - several commentators comparing his impact to that made by the legendary Brazilian Pel頡t a similiar age during the 1958 World Cup.

Before turning 17 and becoming eligible for a professional contract, he was playing for 100 pounds a week and living with his family on a council estate. Now, the teenage sensation has raised that several times, earning an estimated ?13,000 (?19,550/$23,650) a week. Following intense media coverage of Rooney at the 2004 European Championships, Everton now claim they would not transfer his contract for less than 50 million pounds.

Rooney was brought up in a suburb of eastern Liverpool called Croxteth, where he and his two brothers attended De La Salle School.

--Wikipedia