Back to the Premier League Newsfeed

A farewell to English football's golden boy as Wayne Rooney retires: From THAT Arsenal strike at Goodison to publicly slamming England fans at the 2010 World Cup and becoming a Man United icon, Sportsmail reflects on the most extraordinary of careers

It was a moment no football fan will ever forget.

A young, unknown academy graduate seizing his chance in the limelight, the clock rapidly ticking down at Goodison Park and a packed stadium collectively holding its breath.

With a baggy, oversized blue shirt billowing in the wind, the fresh-faced schoolboy effortlessly plucks the ball from the air before turning on veteran Arsenal defender Lauren and creating a pocket of space.

It has been over 18 years since that famous goal against Arsenal at Goodison Park, as Wayne Rooney finally calls time on his football career and hangs his boots up for the last time
On Friday Rooney announced he will be taking over as Derby manager and has finished playing

The Arsenal defence sit back, safe in the knowledge the teenager is some 35 yards from goal.