The former England captain, 41, picked up the prize at a London ceremony months after his candid verdict on the World Cup final half-time show. His agent says he has “put his doubters in their place”.
Wayne Rooney has been named pundit of the year at the Broadcast Sport Awards, capping a first major tournament as a television analyst. The former Manchester United and England captain received the award on Thursday in front of 650 people from the sports television industry at a ceremony in London. Rooney, 41, played at three World Cups for England. His plain-speaking and sense of humour during the 2026 tournament appeared to strike a chord with viewers.
“I thought it was crap”
Rooney’s most talked-about moment came during the 2026 World Cup final. Asked live on air about the half-time show, which featured Madonna, BTS, Shakira and Justin Bieber and ran for 27 minutes and 22 seconds, he was blunt. “I like a lot of them artists, but I thought it was crap,” he said. The comment caught some people by surprise, including his fellow pundit Joe Hart.
A difficult transition
Collecting the award, Rooney spoke about how hard he found the move from football into broadcasting. “I didn’t realise how tough it was going to be when I first started doing it,” he said. “I’ve always been my own biggest critic. And even now I need to improve, I need to be better. It’s a lot of hard work.”
His path from a playing career, followed by a testing spell as a manager, has not always been smooth. His debut as a full-time pundit in August 2025 divided opinion. One fan wrote on social media: “Just because you have done something, does not automatically make you good to talk/explain and teach others well.”
Guardian journalist Paul MacInnes took a more positive view of that first outing. “He’s articulate, and on Saturday night was able to conjure up the right word when you could see he was looking for it,” he wrote. “He is tactically insightful and has a wealth of experience to draw from too.”
As a player, Rooney learned from managers including Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes. He won the Champions League, the Europa League, the Premier League five times, the FA Cup and the League Cup three times. He was not always the most articulate in post-match interviews, but as a pundit he appears to have found his voice.
Seeking advice and feedback
To improve as a broadcaster, Rooney has asked for feedback and advice from experienced television executives and from other former players turned pundits, including Alan Shearer, Danny Murphy, Hart and Micah Richards. “I do look at the other pundits who have been there a long time,” he said. “I see how they do it. I enjoy it, it keeps me involved in football.”
Asked about criticism from viewers, he said: “You do see it. It drives me to be better. I always feel when I do something I want to do better and be the best I can.”
He has also changed his appearance after committing to a healthier lifestyle, which includes games of padel and boxing training.
Agent’s reaction
Rooney’s long-serving agent, Paul Stretford, said no one should be surprised by what his client can achieve. “It is no surprise to me that Wayne has continued to put his doubters in their place with his football intelligence and straightforward manner,” he said. “Time and time again as a player he was able to raise his game to incredible levels.”
He added: “They should also not be surprised at his drive and ambition to be the best that he can possibly be. And he does this with a combination of intelligence and humility.”
The Hudson River forfeit
Rooney’s on-screen chemistry with Hart and Richards was evident during the summer, particularly after an incorrect prediction. He had pledged to row down the River Mersey if Norway beat Brazil. When Norway won, he said on air that he would adapt the challenge and do it in the United States. He, Hart and Richards then took to the Hudson River in New York.
