Wayne Rooney has revealed how a decision from Sir Alex Ferguson left him furious, before an unexpected encounter with Diego Maradona changed his night.
The former Manchester United forward reflected on a Champions League clash with Real Madrid that did not unfold as he had hoped.
What followed later that evening, however, became one of the strangest and most memorable moments of his career. It all started with a team selection call.
Wayne Rooney recalls Sir Alex Ferguson’s bench decision
In comments shared by BBC Sport, Wayne Rooney said: “Alex Ferguson pulled me in and told me, I was going to be on the bench [against Real Madrid], which I was fuming with, because I played out of position, I did a job for the team, helped us get a good draw away from home and we got beat.”
“It was that evening actually, I went to Wing’s restaurant after the game, still in my tracksuit and I went in and [Diego] Maradona was in there,” Rooney added.
Rooney had featured out of position in the first leg and believed he had contributed to a strong result. Being left out for the return fixture did not sit well, particularly after United were eliminated.
Diego Maradona gave Wayne Rooney an unforgettable gift
Wayne Rooney continued: “So, I got a picture with him and stuff. He had a suit on, a full suit and tie, and then he gave me his tie. It was a bit weird, like he took his tie off and put it on me, I had my club tracksuit on.”
Rooney concluded, stating: “I’ve still got it at home. It was a strange, strange moment, but I was fuming obviously after the game, so I’d gone out still fuming.
“I was having a few glasses of wine to drown my sorrows. … I got something good out of the night anyway. I got Maradona’s tie.”
The unexpected gesture from the Argentine icon transformed Rooney’s frustration into a story he still treasures.
Despite the disappointment on the pitch, the evening ended with a souvenir from one of football’s greatest ever players.
For Rooney, a night that began in anger concluded with a piece of history hanging in his wardrobe.
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