The feature-length documentary on Wayne Rooney was released on Amazon Prime Video earlier this week and some of the insights into the player’s career have turned a lot of heads already.
Rooney captures the life and career of the former England international and Manchester United legend focusing largely on his younger days as a player and reminisced by Rooney himself in the present.
In various interviews, director Matt Smith highlighted that the England legend was open to talking about a lot that has not been told about his life and that he was very frank with the telling as well.
Perhaps in this very spirit to give the fans a genuine account of his playing life, Rooney took an accidental dig at former England teammate Peter Crouch and it has tickled the funny bone for a lot of viewers.
When asked about the comparisons made between himself and Brazilian legend Pele at the age of 18 by then England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, Rooney responded that such comparisons were common for young players emerging onto the scene at that age.
Rooney said, “People make comparisons with any young players who come through and play for their country at that age. But I couldn’t care less if they compare me to Pele or they compare me to Peter Crouch, for instance.”
Putting Peter Crouch at the lower end of the scale might perhaps put Rooney in a tough spot. But the choice could very well be based on his existing friendship with Crouch.
After all, the duo have appeared in various light-hearted television programmes after retirement.
Crouch himself has also spoken very highly of Rooney recounting his own experience with him during their time at the England squad on his podcast.
Perhaps the next time the two players decide to appear on a segment, Crouchy will have something to say about this reference.