When John Rooney flashed his smile after masterminding Macclesfield’s FA Cup giant-killing against Crystal Palace, some people were more amazed by his set of gnashers than his managerial heroics.
‘I needed my shades on to stop me getting dazzled by John Rooney’s new teeth,’ wrote one viewer on X. Maybe a touch melodramatic.
But John, 35, has certainly stolen the limelight in the past few days after spending the last 25 years in the shadow of his legendary brother Wayne Rooney, 40.
His sixth-tier Macclesfield side dumped out Palace, their Premier League opponents 117 places above them in English football, with a 2-1 win in what is mathematically the biggest shock in FA Cup history.
At the end, he stood next to his brother Wayne, who was on punditry duty and struggling to hold back his tears. It almost felt like a Hollywood script – and John had the movie star smile to match. But that wasn’t always the case.
‘The most noticeable change appears to be dental work, which alone can dramatically alter someone’s overall appearance,’ Dr Ducu Botoaca, an aesthetics doctor and owner of Dr Ducu Clinics, told the Daily Mail.
John was all smiles after masterminding Macclesfield’s heroic 2-1 win over Crystal Palace
John is seen aged 18 at Macclesfield in 2009; Wayne is seen at the same age in 2004
Seen playing for New York Red Bulls in 2011, John had an altogether more regular set of teeth
‘Straighter, brighter teeth often give the impression of a fresher face and can make features look more balanced and youthful without any facial procedures at all.’
We don’t know precisely when John got his teeth done. Pictures and information from throughout his football career, spent largely in England’s fourth and fifth tier, are not overly forthcoming.
However, images from his younger years show that he used to have a significant gap on the upper left hand side of his mouth, and was possibly missing a pre molar.
The best guess is that the former attacking midfielder, who was quite prolific, had his work done while he was at Barrow in late 2019 or early 2020. Prior to then, his teeth appeared more regular.
The first recorded comment about them came from an X user on January 18, 2020. ‘John Rooney has new teeth,’ the user reported. ‘Please don’t judge him.’
By March that year, the hype was really picking up. ‘Has anyone in football got better teeth than John Rooney?’ asked one observer.
In September 2022, another compliment from somebody else: ‘John Rooney’s Teeth would light up any stadium in the world. Did you pay for them, Wayne Rooney?’
Clearly, in the intervening six years or so, little has occurred to detract from their brilliance.
He’s not the only member of the family to get work done. Wayne had his first hair transplant in 2011 and another in 2013. John does not appear to have had anything done to his plumage up top, having always boasted a strong hairline.
John is seen aged 29 at Stockport in 2020; Wayne is pictured at the same age in 2014
One viewer suggested they would need sunglasses to watch as he spoke with his brother, Wayne Rooney
John Rooney’s smile left viewers dazzled after he led Macclesfield to a famous win over Crystal Palace
Experts feel that part of John’s charm on camera came not just from his teeth, but how well he has looked after himself – as you’d expect for an athlete.
Dr Botoaca added: ‘In addition to dental treatment, it’s very likely that improved skincare and lifestyle habits are playing a role.
‘Better skin quality can come from a consistent skincare routine, professional facials, medical-grade treatments, improved diet, hydration and sleep, especially for someone involved in elite-level sport.
‘If any aesthetic treatments have been done, they appear to be extremely subtle and well-judged.
‘This could include light skin treatments such as chemical peels, microneedling or laser, or very minimal injectables designed to refresh rather than change facial structure. There’s no sign of overfilling or dramatic intervention.
‘It’s also important to note that confidence, fitness and stress levels significantly affect how someone looks. A successful period professionally, improved self-care and physical conditioning can all contribute to what people describe as a “glow up”.
‘Overall, the changes appear natural and understated. If treatments have been undertaken, they seem to have been done with a light touch, enhancing rather than altering his appearance.’
Dr Apul Parikh on behalf of Allergan Aesthetics, added: ‘He also appears to have a glow-up in his skin. He may be using some good quality skin care and may have had some minor tweakments such as anti-wrinkle injections.’
Wayne became quite emotional upon seeing John’s Macclesfield team make history
His pearly white smile captured the attention of onlookers on social media
John pictured in 2011 as he signed for New York Red Bulls in the United States
John came across as immensely likeable in his post-match interview with the BBC but we haven’t been treated to much of him down the years.
While he, Wayne, and their middle brother Graham have all experienced scrutiny – famously taking Ibiza by storm during Wayne’s stag do in 2008 (complete with a yacht and a trip to Wayne Lineker’s bar) and attending festivals together – the younger Rooneys have largely remained under the radar.
Football has always been in the Rooney blood. John grew up playing with the former Manchester United and England captain Wayney and Graham in and around the family home in Croxteth, Merseyside.
John attended Our Lady and St Swithin’s Primary School and De La Salle Humanities College in Croxteth. Like his two brothers, he also came through Everton’s academy before veering off to begin his career at Macclesfield as a teenager. A journeyman, John played for 11 clubs during his professional career, including a stint in the USA with New York Red Bulls and Orlando City.
He moved back to England in 2012 with Barnsley and later joined Bury – at a time when brother Wayne was the captain of United.
On being Wayne’s younger brother while trying to forge his own career in the sport, John once told The Express: ‘People are obviously going to bring Wayne up but I’ve got my own career. I’ve got to put myself first.’
The trio have largely stayed out of the spotlight as a family since their partying days in Liverpool in the early 2000s and 2010s.
For all of Wayne’s personal battles being played out in public – and to some extent Graham’s – John’s journey was unfolding far more quietly. Back in England, John bounced around the National League with Wrexham, Guiseley, Barrow, Stockport City and Oldham Athletic.
That quietness ended on Saturday with the historic slaying of Crystal Palace. Next up on Tuesday night: a trip to Woking in the FA Trophy. Next month? They’ll be hosting another Premier League club, Brentford, in the fourth round of the FA Cup, on Valentine’s Day. Will his flashy smile make you swoon?
