Wayne Rooney -Diego Maradona (foto: Instagram)
Wayne Rooney recalled how Diego Maradona handed him his necktie in a Manchester restaurant after Rooney left Old Trafford furious with Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.
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Wayne Rooney shared an unusual story involving Diego Maradona, a Manchester restaurant, and a night that started in frustration.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the former Manchester United captain named the Santiago Bernabeu as his favourite stadium. He recalled United’s 1 to 1 draw against Real Madrid in 2013, when he set up Danny Welbeck for a headed goal.
Despite the strong away performance, Sir Alex Ferguson informed Rooney before the return leg that he would start on the bench.
"He pulled me in and told me I was going to be on the bench, which I was fuming with," Rooney said. "I played out of position, did a job for the team, helped us get a good draw away from home, and we got beat."
United lost 2 to 1 at Old Trafford and exited the Champions League. Rooney left the stadium angry and headed to Wing’s, a well-known Manchester restaurant popular with Premier League players.
There, he ran into Maradona.
"I went to Wing’s in my tracksuit, and Maradona was in there," Rooney explained. "He had a full suit and tie on. He took his tie off and put it on me. It was a bit weird."
Maradona had attended the match that evening. At the time, his daughter Giannina was married to Sergio Aguero, then a Manchester City striker.
The Argentine legend had praised Rooney years earlier, calling him a special talent destined for world-class status after his teenage breakthrough with England.
Rooney later paid tribute to Maradona following his death in 2020, describing him as "the best."
The tie remains at Rooney’s home.
"I had gone out fuming, had a few glasses of wine. I got something good out of the night at least. I got Maradona’s tie."