After a star-studded gala, Rooney expressed his gratitude for the recognition and posted on social media: “Thanks for a great night, Globe Soccer. Honour to win the career award.”
After exploding onto the scene with boyhood club Everton, and illuminating Euro 2004 with England, the striker moved to United and marked his debut with a hat-trick against Fenerbahce in the Champions League.
He would become the club’s record goalscorer and also the leading marksman for his country.