Wayne Rooney credits wife in battle against alcohol addiction: ‘I’d be dead without her’

Wayne Rooney credits wife in battle against alcohol (AP Photo)

Wayne Rooney made his debut for Everton at just 16 and went on to become one of the finest players of his generation, cementing his legacy as a Manchester United and England legend. Yet, he admits he might have gone astray if not for the unwavering support of his wife, Coleen.

The couple got married in 2008 after meeting while attending school. She helped him overcome his alcoholism and may have even saved his life, according to the football icon.

Rooney acknowledged that he "struggled massively" in his fight with the bottle, “I honestly believe if she weren’t there, I’d be dead.”

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Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast the former striker, who announced his retirement from the sport in 2021, informed his ex-England and Manchester United teammate that he had very few options to turn to.

“I wanted to go out and enjoy my time with my friends and have a night out. It got to a point where I went too far – that was a moment in my life where I was struggling massively with alcohol,” the 39-year-old said.

“I just drank for two days straight. Come training and at the weekend, I’d score two goals and then I’d go back and go and drink for two days straight again.”

Referring to himself as a "binge drinker" during that time in his life, Rooney said: “I was never an alcoholic. If I got two days off, I’d literally drink for two days and then dust myself down – eye drops, chewing gum, mouthwash – to go into work and then have to run around a pitch and train. I wasn’t giving the best version of myself to my club at times.”

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That was prior to Coleen's pivotal life-changing intervention. “I didn’t think I could turn to anyone. I didn’t really want to because I didn’t want to put that burden on anyone. She (Coleen) helped me control that massively. She’s managed me because I needed managing.”

Since then, things have changed, and Rooney emphasised how helpful it is to have someone close by with whom to discuss problems.

“I’ve made mistakes in the past, which are well documented and whatever, but I’m a little bit different at times, and she keeps me on that path, and she’s done it for 20-odd years. I’ve spoken to people. It helped. You let your feelings out. I didn’t do that – I held them in, and then it builds up,” he added.