The player caught the world's attention with a last-minute, long-range goal against Arsenal. His strike showed control and power way beyond Rooney's years and announced him as a precocious talent.
Rooney made his England debut at the age of 17 and lit up EURO 2004 with the Three Lions, showing outrageous skill.
Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United came calling for Rooney, signing him for £25.6million in August 2004 - a record for a teenage player at the time.
With 253 goals in all competitions, Rooney is Man Utd's all-time record goalscorer, comfortably surpassing Denis Law and George Best.
Rooney made an emotional playing return to Everton in 2017 before joining MLS side DC United, and then Derby County in controversial circumstances via a sponsorship with online casino 32Red.
The following season he was unable to keep Derby in the division, especially after a 21 point deduction due to historical financial mismanagement, and resigned in June 2022.
In July 2022, he was appointed head coach of DC United, a club where he was named MVP and golden boot winner during his playing days.
But he left Washington in October 2023 after their hopes of making the Major League Soccer play-offs ended.
A week later the former England skipper replaced the sacked John Eustace at Birmingham City on a three-and-a-half year deal.
"Once a blue, always a blue" read Wayne Rooney's T-shirt, uncovered in celebration, after scoring in the FA Youth Cup final against Aston Villa.
The story of this Everton mad kid is one of love and loss and love and hate after Rooney crossed the Liverpool/Manchester divide to sign for Man Utd.
Rooney had announced his Premier League arrival in audacious style with an unstoppable goal for Everton against Arsenal in 2002. "Remember the name: Wayne Rooney," uttered the commentator as the 16-year-old substitute swept home from 25 yards past David Seaman.
Landmarks came thick and fast for Rooney, being named BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year in December 2002 and signing his first professional contract in January 2003, making him one of the world's highest paid teenagers.
But it was clear the ambitious Rooney wouldn't stay at Goodison Park long as Rooney himself remembers. "At the time, at 16, I remember looking around the Everton first team and knowing I was the best player. I felt that. I knew deep down that for me to further my career I would have to go somewhere else."
That meant a move to Man Utd which caused years of bitter recriminations from Everton fans upset at the apparent betrayal.
Rooney rebuilt bridges after returning to Goodison Park in July 2017. His celebration after scoring his first Everton goal in 13 years and five months was a sight to behold after he netted a header against Stoke City in August 2017.
Man Utd was the perfect destination for ambitious 18-year-old Wayne Rooney in 2004.
Sir Alex Ferguson made Rooney his top target, paying £25.6million for the striker, a record fee for a player under the age of 20.
Wayne Rooney, Manchester United, 2004
In a classic building season for Man Utd, where the Red Devils finished third in the Premier League, Rooney top-scored for the Old Trafford side by notching 17 in all competitions. He was honoured with the PFA Young Player of the Year award for 2004/05.
Nothing would stop Rooney scoring goals, however, and he registered a brace versus Wigan Athletic in the 2006 League Cup final in a man of the match showing.
United won 4-0 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, earning Rooney his first trophy. The Red Devils engaged in a ding-dong battle with Chelsea for the Premier League but finished second to the Stamford Bridge club.
Second is not a position that sits well with Sir Alex Ferguson nor the competitive Rooney so Man Utd went all out to claim Premier League glory in 2006/07.
Alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Rooney lit up the Premier League with the pair finishing on 23 goals each as United took the league title from Chelsea.
The 2007/08 season saw Rooney really hit the big time by pairing a Premier League title with victory in the Champions League.
Rooney achieved what he had come to Man Utd to do in 2008/09 and that was to win multiple trophies.
Although an unsuccessful season by Man Utd's standards, 2009/10 was a stellar goalscoring year for Rooney, banging in 34 goals and being named 2010 Player's Player of the Year.
Despite winning further Premier Leagues together in 2010/11 and 2012/13, Wayne Rooney's relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson was rocky, resulting in the striker submitting a pair of transfer requests.
In 2017 before he squared the circle by returning to Everton, Rooney broke the all-time scoring record for Man Utd, hitting his 250th goal versus Stoke City.
In 2018, a move to Washington in the USA provided Rooney with the refresher his career needed as he linked up with DC United of Major League Soccer. He signed a three-and-a-half-year deal in the US capital.
The then-32-year-old Rooney chose Washington to settle in as Los Angeles and New York were too "hectic" for his young family.
The move to DC United proved to be a successful one for Rooney, being named at the end of the season as the MVP and Golden Boot winner for DC United, having scored 12 goals in 21 matches.
Rooney dispossessed the attacker and sent a plum 40-yard cross for Luciano Acosta to head home.
Rooney registered his 300th career goal at club level versus Houston Dynamo in 2019. Rooney signed off in the MLS with a 5-1 defeat in the Playoffs against Toronto FC.
Ben Olson, DC United coach said that Rooney "gave a lot to the organisation. He was a great teammate".
“We are fully aligned on what is expected. I have been building my managerial career, putting myself in challenging environments, to get me ready for this opportunity. It’s a project that gives me a sense of purpose and I can’t wait to get started.
“We have some exciting young players in the squad, and some who are still to break through into the First Team, alongside a core of experienced senior professionals.
“I have a clear way that I want the team to play, and my coaching staff and I will work hard to implement it. We will create a winning culture here with an identity that gets Blues fans on their feet.”
Former England team-mate Ashley Cole, currently England Under-21s assistant coach, and John O’Shea, the assistant coach of the Republic of Ireland, join Rooney in Birmingham while keeping the roles with their national sides
Carl Robinson and Pete Shuttleworth, who both worked with Rooney at DC United, also moved to St Andrew’s.
Birmingham co-owner and chairman Wagner said: “Wayne is a born winner. We believe, with the support of his coaching staff, the club, and our supporters, he will take Blues forward on the next stage of our journey.
“His playing philosophy will help to realise the ambitions we have set for Birmingham City.
“Wayne has been preparing for an opportunity like this since he embarked on his coaching education whilst still a player at Manchester United. He and his staff have the full support of the board and everyone at the football club.”
Birmingham chief executive Garry Cook said: “We are incredibly excited by Wayne’s arrival. When the opportunity presents itself to appoint a manager who shares your ambition and is both a student and a great of the game, then you act. This is what we have done.
“We are confident that his appointment, supported by his hand-picked coaching staff, will culminate in a young, attack-minded team that will excite our fans.
“The timing of the appointment will allow Wayne to evaluate the playing staff and work with Craig Gardner (sporting director) on the squad’s recruitment needs ahead of the January and Summer transfer windows. This is a defining moment for the club.”
At 17 years, 3 months and 19 days old, a baby-faced Rooney became the youngest senior player in Three Lions history.
He went on to be the breakout star of EURO 2004 in Portugal with manager Sven Goran Eriksson saying: "I don't remember anyone making such an impact since Pele in the 1958 World Cup."
Rooney's England World Cup 2006 campaign ended badly after being sent off in the quarter-finals against Portugal for a stamp on Ricardo Carvalho.
Rooney's United team-mate Ronaldo was seen cheekily winking to the Portuguese bench after his dismissal - an action which enraged supporters back in England.
Sadly, Rooney drew further controversy following a 0-0 draw with Algeria in World Cup 2010. "Nice to see your home fans boo you. That's what loyal support is," said Rooney to the TV camera. England went out in the second round.
The so-called "Golden Generation" that Rooney was a part of never translated into a top tournament win and he announced his international retirement in August 2017. He bowed out as England's all time leading goalscorer with 53 goals.
Family has played a huge part in Wayne Rooney's life, growing up in a passionate footballing household with father Thomas, mother Jeanette and brothers Graeme and John.
Wayne Rooney has his own charitable foundation, the Wayne Rooney Foundation. The Foundation raises money for the NSPCC, Claire House Children's Hospice, Alder Hey Children's Hospital and Manchester United Foundation.
The testimonial match for Wayne Rooney in August 2016 between Manchester United and Everton raised over £1million for the Foundation's chosen charities.
In 2004, Rooney caused controversy after admitting having sex with prostitutes. On the matter, he stated: "Foolish as it now seems, I did on occasions visit massage parlours and prostitutes. It was at a time when I was very young and immature and before I had settled down with Coleen. I now regret it deeply and hope people may understand it was the sort of mistake you make when you are young and stupid."
Thanks to various sponsorship deals, endorsements and investments Wayne Rooney was said to have a net worth of $136million by goal.com in 2020.
Tributes have flooded in from across the footballing world and beyond for Manchester United and England great Sir Bobby Charlton following his death aged 86.
Wayne Rooney has emphasised how much he is relishing the challenge he has taken on as boss of a Birmingham outfit with sights very much set on the Premier League.
Wayne Rooney has joined Birmingham City as the club's new manager after signing a three-and-a-half year deal.
Wayne Rooney could be on the way to Birmingham City after the Championship club sacked head coach John Eustace.
Wayne Rooney is leaving DC United after their hopes of making the Major League Soccer play-offs ended.
Marcus Rashford has shared how Wayne Rooney is encouraging him to surpass his record as the all-time leading goalscorer for Manchester United.
After seeing his MLS All-Stars get thrashed 5-0 by Arsenal, Wayne Rooney admitted several of the players looked a bit star-struck against one of the best teams in Europe.