Wayne Rooney, the former superstar of Manchester United and England, has drawn from his own experiences to offer advice to Jude Bellingham, the young sensation playing for England in the ongoing Euro 2024 tournament.
The former player, once known for his passionate and sometimes volatile playing style, noticed Bellingham struggling to keep his emotions in check early in the competition.
Rooney warned Bellingham, the 21-year-old Real Madrid midfielder who has already scored for England in the tournament, about letting his frustration get the better of him.
“Three or four times in the first half against Slovenia, he couldn’t hide his frustration. He was turning to look at others and throwing his arms up. That kind of body language sends a message to the fans, teammates, and the manager,” said the former footballer according to Goal.com.
Wayne Rooney himself was famously sent off in the 2006 World Cup and urged Bellingham to stay calm and composed, drawing parallels between the young midfielder and his own playing experiences for the national team.
“I’ve been there. I know exactly the position he’s in. I’ve found myself in that space numerous times in international football and at certain moments in my club career. I just hope the frustration doesn’t boil over to the point where he gets a red card or does something silly and gets injured,” added the former English star.
Despite early struggles, Jude Bellingham has showcased his quality, with Wayne Rooney praising the young talent while offering a word of caution.
“Throughout this tournament, it’s felt like he’s been trying too hard, and when you try too hard, you make decisions that you wouldn’t normally make,” he stated.
However, Rooney’s words of wisdom appear to have paid off, as Bellingham played a central role in England’s dramatic victory over Slovakia in the round of 16.
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