‘I think for me it was in 2006’- Wayne Rooney recalls his worst memory playing in World Cup

The FIFA World Cup 2022 is underway in Qatar, with day one seeing a lot of action. Former England player Wayne Rooney has now recalled his worst memory of the World Cup. The star footballer said the red card against Portugal in 2006 was his worst memory.

The English legend revealed during the VISA Match Centre on Viacom18 Sports’ FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 presentation that he, too, tried to get Cristiano Ronaldo booked for diving. Rooney described his infamous red card against Portugal in the World Cup quarterfinals in 2006 as his “worst World Cup memory.”

When asked about a memory from the World Cup that Rooney would like to forget during the show, Rooney said, “I think for me it was in 2006, the red card against Portugal. I remember I was sitting in the dressing room after getting a red card. And me thinking if we lose in penalties, it is my fault and if we go through to the semi-final and final, I miss both games. It was definitely the worst feeling as a player, so definitely the red card in 2006.”

Rooney also mentioned Ronaldo’s famous wink from that game. “In football, we were teammates at Manchester United and at Portugal, he was a rival. I actually tried getting him booked for diving as well. So, I have no issues,” he added.

He’s not playing for his club: Wayne Rooney

In the meantime, Rooney has stated that if he were in charge of the trio of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Harry Kane, he would bench Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo. Rooney was asked to start one player, bench one player, and drop one player before the FIFA World Cup opener between Qatar and Ecuador, and his choices were Argentine superstar Messi, Portugal maverick Ronaldo, and England captain Harry Kane.

“That’s a tough one… I’d have to start Messi, I’d bench Kane and leave Ronaldo out. He’s not playing for his club,” Rooney said on Jio Cinema before the start of the World Cup game between Qatar and Ecuador.