2010: The Year of Rooney

Charlie Klein


Wayne Rooney is the best football player on the planet. There. I said it. You read it. Hopefully you did not read it with raised eyebrows or guffaws. Anyone who has watched the 24 year-old forward play this season would say the same thing. An unbelievable 28 goals in all competitions with Manchester United still in the hunt for all of the post-season honours leads one to believe that 2010 may yet be the Year of Rooney.

Many have noticed a marked change in the always fiery Evertonian during the 2009-2010 campaign. Rooney is now able to head the ball much better, having scored his last five goals via perfect headers. Yesterday's Carling Cup-winning goal is a perfect example of Rooney's newfound mastery in the air. Wayne has also matured off the pitch by becoming a father to a son named Kai.

Rooney has also been in electric form with the England National Team, one of the favourites to win the World Cup this summer in South Africa. Wazza scored four goals during England's World Cup qualifying run and is recognized by the football community as being the key to ending England's 44 year drought in the competition.

For these international awards, the winner usually exercises domination over his entire domain. Last season it was Lionel Messi's year, as his club Barcelona won six major trophies including the UEFA Champions League. The year prior to that when Cristiano Ronaldo won the award he led Manchester Untied to domestic and European glory as United were champions of Europe and England. And Kaka won the award during the season in which AC Milan won the Champions League. The formula for winning the award is clear. If Rooney can lead United to their fourth consecutive Premier League title and their third straight Champions League final, I would put a decent amount of money down for him claiming the Ballon d'Or.

In an era of me-first players, Wayne Rooney deserves special praise for being a club man through and through. Willing to play absolutely any position on the pitch without a second's hesitation, this man loves the game of football. And he is a player the world of football ought to love right back. This year Rooney ought to be honoured with the Ballon d'Or. Move over Messi, there's a new sheriff in town. As Clive Tyldesley once screamed, "Remember the name, Wayne Rooney!" I don't anyone's going to forget it anytime soon.