Wayne Rooney says he’d be dead without Coleen as he reveals hidden alcohol battle and two-day binges

Wayne Rooney says he would be dead if not for his wife Coleen, crediting her with saving him from alcoholism, as he opened up about his battle in a new interview with Rio Ferdinand on his podcast. The former England captain described a descent that began in his early years, when he simply wanted to enjoy time with friends, but escalated to a point where he says he was left struggling massively. He said he initially believed he could handle the problems on his own and did not want to burden anyone with what he was going through.

Rooney recalled a specific episode in which he drank for two days straight before turning up for football training. In an effort to conceal the problem from teammates and management, he said he used eye drops, chewing gum, and aftershave to mask the visible signs of the two-day binge. He added that after scoring two goals at training or on weekends, he would go back and drink for another two days, creating a cycle that persisted despite improving outward results on the pitch.

In describing the role of his wife, Rooney spoke at length about Coleen, the mother of his four children, saying she is massive in his life and that she has helped him control his impulses for around two decades. He noted that they grew up together in Croxteth, started dating as teenagers, and married in 2008, building a family that includes Kai, Klay, Kit, and Cass. He described Coleen as a steadying influence who has kept him on track even when he faced temptations and public scrutiny. He stressed that while he and Coleen come from similar backgrounds, her guidance and patience have been crucial to his recovery and ongoing personal growth.

The interview touches on the broader arc of Rooney’s life in the public eye, including a history of controversy that preceded his marriage. The notes describe past allegations that Rooney had visited three prostitutes as a teenager, a sequence that drew intense media attention when he moved to Manchester United in 2004. References to these episodes have been explored in various media, including a 2023 Amazon Prime documentary about his life, where Coleen discussed the lasting impact of those years and the reasons she chose to stay with him for the sake of their children. Coleen has publicly highlighted the importance of support from her own parents in navigating the couples’ highly scrutinized relationship, emphasizing a practical, family-centered approach over sensational headlines.

Beyond his personal history, the notes indicate ongoing media interest in the Rooneys’ life. Reports have pointed to a Disney+ reality project focusing on the couple and their children, following a bidding war with rival networks. The project is described as an at-home format that would offer viewers a window into the Rooneys’ Cheshire home. Rooney’s professional trajectory has also continued to unfold in the public eye, including his departure from Plymouth Argyle as manager after 25 matches, a development that occurred in December prior to the interview’s publication.

The public conversations surrounding Rooney and Coleen underscore how their relationship has evolved from adolescence to a high-profile marriage, with a balance of family life, sports achievements, and media scrutiny shaping their story. The Rio Ferdinand interview adds another chapter to Rooney’s narrative, detailing how addiction and recovery intersect with a life spent in the spotlight.

Listeners can hear the full Rio Meets Wayne Rooney interview on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.