Wayne Rooney finds his overwhelming celebrity status preventing him from watching his son Kai play for Manchester United. The 15-year-old is the eldest of four boys born to Rooney and his wife Coleen, and has younger brothers Clay, 11, Kit, eight, and Cath, six.
Playing as a forward, mirroring his legendary father’s position, Kai was part of the Red Devils’ academy establishment in 2016, following in the footsteps of Rooney Senior, who celebrates his 40th birthday today. The youngster faces a considerable road to reach the Premier League, but has established himself as a very promising player at Old Trafford.
Unfortunately for the former England captain, it was revealed that the emerging talent had instructed his father to avoid attending matches due to the overwhelming media buzz that followed, leaving him to watch his son’s performances from afar.
The revelation was revealed last year while Coleen appeared on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here.
The 39-year-old secured second place behind McFly vocalist Danny Jones on the hit reality show, but it was while in the jungle that she revealed the heartbreaking choice her son felt forced into.
“I think that’s what it’s like for kids, it’s hard to be out for days on end,” Colleen said.
“Kai told Wayne to stop coming to football games when they played in grassroots tournaments and stuff, because he was always huddled in the crowd and couldn’t even watch the games.
“How can you tell all these kids, ‘Get out, I’m watching my son?'” Adults, that’s different, you can tell them. So he (Kai) just said, “Dad, you’re not going to watch me play anyway, so there’s no point in coming.” It’s sad, but it can’t be helped either way. At the same time, your fans help you along the way and get you this far. ”
Although he was not present at Kai’s matches, the former England captain continues to play a pivotal role in his son’s football development.
Rooney previously admitted that while he relies on the club’s coaching staff to provide technical guidance, he makes sure to pass on key advice to his sons during training sessions at home.
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show last month, the 40-year-old explained: “I’m very lucky where I live, there’s a little pitch there and when the kids say, ‘I’m going to the pitch,’ they just tie the ball in the top corner.”
“So I remember telling them when I was younger, I’d just set up a little square to practice passing and play against the wall. So I’m very similar. (I’d tell them), ‘You need to work on your speed, you need to work on your technique and your control.'” Otherwise, when you go out, you’re going to be like, ‘Look at me hitting the ball into the top corner.’ ”
