
At 18, Wayne Rooney was a freak. The original generational talent who performed incredibly at Euro 2004 - with his individual highlights making for sensational viewing.
Rooney starred for England during the summer of 2004, helping his side reach the quarter-finals before picking up an untimely injury.

Even at such a tender age, the phenom forward was irreplaceable and he proved that with his performances against France, Switzerland and Croatia.
He bagged four goals in the group stage round including a stunning 'Man of the Match' display versus Croatia.
Rooney absolutely tearing it up in Portugal has resurfaced online, with fans reminiscing over his genius.
Wayne Rooney at Euro 2004...
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) January 14, 2022
He was 18-years-old.pic.twitter.com/lWLxkipk7R
Football fans couldn't get enough of Rooney's showing at Euro 2004.
Absolutely no shade to Foden whatsoever but 18-year-old Rooney was streets ahead of him now, and he’s 21.
— Jordan (@FourFourJordan) January 14, 2022
Rooney was an absolute demon. Can’t believe what people say on this app. https://t.co/FNMn0KpsAP
It’s crazy how much the English overrate talent and underrate a guy like him https://t.co/FgaQGPGomK
— D. (@Dec__94) January 15, 2022
England would’ve won this tournament had Rooney not got injured https://t.co/QldXPDG1Zp
— Nasir Jabbar (@NasJabbar) January 15, 2022
One wrote: "Mad the disrespects he gets from football fans. One of the greatest, if not the greatest, this country has ever produced."
A second tweeted: "I really refuse to believe that there's any English player better than Wayne Mark Rooney!"
A third added: "People forget just how good he was. Miles better than the big time youngsters these days."
One fan even said an 18-year-old Rooney was better than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo at the same age: "18yo Rooney was a monster Ahead of Messi and Ronaldo at 18 Unbelievable Player."
Wayne Rooney. What a player.
Topics: Wayne Rooney, Football, England