Former English football star Wayne Rooney revealed that he used to spend “days at home drinking alcohol until he almost lost consciousness,” believing it was the best way to overcome the “challenges” he faced when he was in his early twenties.
The current 38-year-old Birmingham coach is considered one of the best players in England after an amazing career at club and international level.
Rooney was only 16 years old when he made his first appearance with Everton in 2002. He was transferred at the age of 18 to Manchester United in a record deal – at the time – amounting to 27 million pounds sterling (31 million euros).
Rooney spent 13 years at Old Trafford before finishing his football career with Everton, DC United, and Derby County, England.
Despite winning 5 titles and the Champions League, he revealed his suffering in the first days with the “Red Devils.”
Rooney explained how he used to resort to drinking alcohol to deal with the pressures of playing for United.
Challenges off the field were also present for Rooney at that time. He bravely revealed that he tried to numb the pain by drinking large amounts of alcohol.
Rooney said, “I faced many different challenges, both on and off the field. When I was in my early twenties, I would spend a few days at home, not leave it, and drink until I passed out.”
He continued, “I didn’t want to be around people, because sometimes you feel embarrassed and sometimes you feel like you let them down. In the end I didn’t know how to deal with it, so I chose alcohol to try to help me get over that.”
He noted that there were people he could have talked to, but he chose not to and tried to deal with the matter on his own.
He concluded by saying, “When you do that and don’t ask for the help and guidance of others, things can go to dangerous places, and I was like that for a few years.”