Today in Football History: The Birthday of Wayne Rooney and Ilkay Gündoğan

Wayne Rooney (Born October 24, 1985): Manchester United’s Goal-Scoring Icon

When Wayne Rooney burst onto the Premier League scene as a 16-year-old for Everton in 2002—becoming the league’s youngest goalscorer at the time with a last-minute winner against Arsenal—few could predict he would rewrite football history books. His 2004 transfer to Manchester United for £25.6 million (then a record for a teenager) marked the start of a career intertwined with the Red Devils’ legacy, culminating in him becoming the club’s all-time leading goalscorer with 253 goals across all competitions .

Rooney’s goalscoring prowess was defined by both quantity and quality. He netted 208 Premier League goals across his career, ranking third on the competition’s all-time list behind only Alan Shearer (260) and Harry Kane (213) . His signature strike—a spectacular bicycle kick against Manchester City in 2011—was later voted Manchester United’s "Goal of the Decade" by fans, securing 50% of the vote in a poll of over 90,000 supporters . That goal encapsulated his athleticism and instinct: receiving Ryan Giggs’ cross with his back to goal, he twisted mid-air to send a volley crashing into the top corner, leaving City goalkeeper Joe Hart helpless.

Beyond individual brilliance, Rooney was a trophy-winning force. During his 13 seasons at Old Trafford, he claimed five Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League, one FIFA Club World Cup, and four League Cups. His leadership emerged when he succeeded Nemanja Vidić as club captain in 2014, captaining United in 150 matches before departing in 2017. His record-breaking moment came in January 2017, when a stoppage-time free-kick against Stoke City saw him surpass Sir Bobby Charlton’s 44-year-old club goalscoring record—a milestone Charlton himself hailed as "deserved" .

For England, Rooney’s 53 goals in 120 caps stood as the national team’s record until 2023. His international career included appearances in three World Cups and three European Championships, with his debut goal against Macedonia in 2003 making him England’s youngest scorer at 17 years and 317 days. Even after retiring as a player in 2021, he continued shaping football as a manager, leading clubs like Derby County and D.C. United, carrying forward the competitive spirit that defined his playing days.

Ilkay Gündoğan (Born October 24, 1990): The Tactician Who Forged Trebles

Ilkay Gündoğan’s career is a masterclass in resilience and tactical intelligence, from his humble beginnings in VfL Bochum’s youth academy to captaining Germany and winning football’s most elusive honors. The midfielder’s defining achievement came in 2023, when he played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s historic treble (Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League)—only the second English club after Manchester United (1999) to achieve the feat .

Gündoğan’s impact on the treble run was indelible. In the FA Cup final against Manchester United at Wembley, he etched his name into folklore by scoring twice: a 1-minute strike (the fastest goal in FA Cup final history) and a 51st-minute finish, securing City’s 2-1 victory . His Champions League campaign was equally influential, starting all but one knockout-stage match and orchestrating City’s midfield alongside Rodri, with his 91% pass completion rate in the final against Inter Milan proving crucial to their 1-0 win.

His 2023 move to Barcelona marked another chapter of success. By early 2024, he had become indispensable to Xavi Hernández’s side, leading the team in assists (nine) and ranking fourth in goalscorers—surpassing his previous single-season assist record set at Manchester City . His positional versatility shone through: deployed in an advanced midfield role, his goal involvement rate jumped from 0.33 per game in 2023 to 0.6 per game in 2024, including match-winning contributions against Villarreal and Alavés .

Gündoğan’s international career is equally notable. Earning 82 caps for Germany between 2011 and 2024, he overcame career-threatening injuries (including missing the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Euros) to become captain in September 2023—the first player with a migratory background to wear the armband . He led his country at Euro 2024 on home soil, guiding Germany to the semi-finals before announcing his international retirement, citing mental and physical fatigue from the demands of club and country . His 19 goals for Germany, often from late runs into the box, complemented his reputation as a defensive shield and playmaker.

Both born on October 24, Rooney and Gündoğan represent different facets of footballing greatness—one a relentless goalscorer who broke records, the other a tactical linchpin who mastered multiple roles. Their legacies, forged through resilience and excellence, continue to inspire generations.