Wayne Rooney has opened up about his battle with alcohol dependency – and confessed he could have died without the support of his wife Coleen. Rooney is considered among the greatest players of his era, after a brilliant career with England, Everton and Manchester United.
The former striker still holds United’s all-time scoring record, and topped England’s charts as well before being overtaken by Harry Kane. However, Rooney, speaking on the “Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast”, has told how he battled a relentless fight against alcohol.
Rooney admits he went to extraordinary measures to hide his drinking from legendary former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, using eye drops and chewing gum before attending training sessions, reports the Mirror.
Rooney said: “I wanted to go out and enjoy my time with my friends and having a night out. It got to a point where I went too far, of course it did. That was a moment in my life where I was struggling massively. With alcohol. Massively struggling and 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. I remember going into training and putting eyes drops in, chewing gum.
“I just drank for two days straight. Go training and at the weekend, I’d scored two goals and then I’d go back and go and drink for two days straight again.”
Rooney believes Coleen saved his life and he added: “Coleen is massive. It’s bad because we’re two kids from Croxteth, and then we grew up together and obviously we started dating and got married and have kids. But when I was 17 she could see, she knew my mind and she knew I was a bit out there.
“You know, I loved my football. I was obsessed with football, but also I loved a night out or whatever going out. She’s seen it very early on, and she’s controlled that. Well, not controlled, but helped me control that massively.
“And at times you’re like, ‘what are you doing? Why do you keep saying don’t do this or don’t do that? I honestly believe if she wasn’t there I’d be dead. I believe that.
“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. She’s done it for 20-odd years.”