Wayne Rooney's individual highlights vs France at Euro 2004 show it could have been one of the best ever tournament debuts from a teenager.
Rooney flew out to the tournament with England as an 18-year-old while still playing for Everton.
A move to Manchester United would follow two months later and his performance in the game against 'Les Bleus' could have had a huge impact.
Check out the full highlights below.
Euro 2004 - @WayneRooney vs France.
One of the greatest performances by a teenager internationally. 18 years old. Debut tournament match. pic.twitter.com/wtwGwubOIO
- Nozzy. (@Hxnz99) April 11, 2020
England would go on to lose the game 2-1, but it was Rooney's performance that had the entire football world talking.
Fans have reacted to the clip which describes the performance as one of the greatest international performances from a teenager ever.
What a player he was then. But look at how deep we are and always playing back.
- Phil Turner (@PhilTurner03) April 12, 2020
Prime Rooney was devastating
- Joe Smith (@Coachjsmith90) April 17, 2020
@UmayrAbbasi so good fergie signed him up right after this tournie @hamza_ansar @FaizanArfeen1
- Taimur Z. (@taimurzahmed) April 12, 2020
The game that made me crazy about this man :heart_eyes:, I remember everything he did in this match.
- Mohanad (@mistakes30) April 11, 2020
Wearing the number nine shirt, the forward didn't stop running and caused all kinds of problems for the ageing France back-line.
Interestingly, Rooney and future teammate Paul Scholes didn't finish the game despite being England's standout threats.
What followed were two injury time strikes from Zinedine Zidane to inflict defeat on the Three Lions.
Despite his tournament ending with an injury in a quarter-final defeat to host nation Portugal, Rooney has admitted Euro 2004 was the best time of his international career.
He told the Daily Mail: "My debut at such a young age and the Euro 2004 was the stand out tournament for me because I scored four goals.
'I had to mature quickly because I am in the limelight. On the pitch I have developed as a player. I have more composure on the ball than when I was 17 or 18."
Rooney's raw talent in that period has arguably not been matched by an England international since.
What do you think of Rooney's highlights against France?
Let us know in the comments below.
Featured Image Credit: @Hxnz99/Twitter
Topics: Football News, Football, International Football, England, France, Wayne Rooney
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