Wayne Rooney would have made more money working at McDonald’s than playing for Everton when he first burst onto the scene.
Rooney announced himself to the world with his first Premier League goal aged 16 – a stunning winner for Everton against Arsenal.
Memories of that were revived on Saturday by Max Dowman, who became the league’s youngest-ever goalscorer in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over the Toffees.
But footballers are not on as much money as you might think before they reach the age of 17, when they are allowed to sign a professional contract.
Rooney said on his BBC podcast: ‘I had a deal with Ford from when I was about 14. Obviously they weren’t giving me cars then, but that was for my dad.
‘When I scored against Arsenal, I think I was on £75 per week, but that was four days before my 17th birthday.
Wayne Rooney says he was on £75 per week when he was just 16 years old at Everton
Rooney became the youngest Premier League goalscorer ever when he struck the winner for Everton against Arsenal in 2002
‘When you turn 17, you can sign a professional contract, so I was still on my scholar [deal].
‘I used to borrow money off my mum and dad until I signed my pro contract!
‘I remember I went into Audi thinking I was going to get this big Audi, when I was 17 and passed my test, and then remembered I had a deal with Ford!’
Rooney’s goal against Arsenal in 2002 – a sumptuous long-range strike into the top corner – made him the youngest Premier League goalscorer of all time.
He was later supplanted by James Milner at Leeds and James Vaughan of Everton, who Dowman has now knocked off top spot.
Dowman has since been compared to the likes of Lionel Messi and Kaka, which is obviously putting considerable hype on the shoulders of a chap who hasn’t even finished his GCSEs.
He is even being mentioned in the World Cup conversation. Theo Walcott was taken along to the 2006 World Cup aged 17, though he has since admitted it was not helpful for him.
Rooney said: ‘What an opportunity for him to be around the squad.
Max Dowman assumed the title on Saturday after scoring for Arsenal against Everton
‘He’s got an aura and a belief about him and it was the same against Everton. (But) if it’s education first, I don’t think we’ll see much of him over the next few weeks.’
Rooney added: ‘He has got his GCSEs, and his education, I’m sure for him and his family, is important as well.
‘He won’t be in as much as he’d probably like, but then you’ve got many years ahead of you.’
Dowman is in Year 11 at school and GCSEs typically take place across May and June.
Arsenal have seven more Premier League games, including four in May, while they remain in the Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Champions League.
