In his own words, Wayne Rooney used alcohol consumption as a “release” early in his football career, admitting he would drink “almost until he’d pass out.”

The manager of Birmingham revealed his struggles to cope with celebrity demands on the latest podcast with Rob Burrow, a Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Activist and Former Rugby League Star.

Rooney joined Manchester United at 18, but he claimed that his prominence came at a price. At 16, he made his debut for Everton’s senior team. At 17, he became an England International.

The 38-year-old said to Burrow, “When I was in my early 20s, alcohol was my release.”  “I would return home, stay there for a few days, and not leave the house. I would drink until I was almost unconscious”.

“I didn’t want to be in social situations since it might sometimes be embarrassing. There are moments when you feel you’ve let people down, and in the end, you’re left with no other choice.”

“You can be really in a low place when you don’t take the help and guidance of others, and I was like that for a few years.” Luckily, I no longer feel frightened to approach others and discuss problems with them.

After managing in the US, Rooney returned to England and is the first guest on a new episode of The Total Sport podcast on the BBC.

Burrow, a former Leeds Rhinos player diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND) in 2019, along with his spouse Lindsey, interviewed seven legendary athletes and posed seven questions in the podcast Seven: Rob Burrow.

Burrow communicates via a computerized voice and AI technologies. Burrow’s response to the illness, according to Rooney, has motivated others.

He remarked, “I have personal experience with the effects this illness on both you and those around you.”

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“Everyone needs to alter their lifestyle, and I experienced this with my sister-in-law, who endured a similar but more severe disease.”

However, “everyone around you benefits from your enthusiasm and upbeat demeanor. It is incredibly encouraging that you have raised money for charities and to support others”.