Wayne Rooney’s Irish priest has revealed that the record-breaking goalscorer has wanted to be a religious role model since childhood.
Fr Edward Quinn, who is a long-time family friend, revealed that the former footballer even felt a calling to be a priest before he became a millionaire footballer.
Former Manchester United star Rooney’s family moved from Ireland to England before he was born.
And he has rarely spoken publicly of his Catholic faith in the last 12 years since he was banned from talking about it by English football authorities in 2010.
But he broke his silence this week – and now the Dublin cleric has revealed the unlikely religious role model’s desire to join the priesthood.
Fr Ned, 81, was flown to Italy to marry Wayne, 36, and Coleen, 35, in 2008 and later christened their children.
The priest revealed: “He has been religious since he was a child, that’s absolutely true. He talked to me about religion and the priesthood and later wore rosary beads in training, even though they’d be swinging all about the place.”
Wayne opened up this week to promote his new documentary Rooney, which premiered on Amazon Prime.
He said: “I’ve always been religious. I pray. It’s strange but my nan and [my wife] Coleen’s sister, Rosie, I still feel they are a presence.
“Don’t worry, I’m not going mad. That might be something I’m clinging on to.
“It mightn’t be there, I get that. But I feel their presence.”
Coleen’s adopted sister Rosie McLoughlin died, aged 14 in 2013, following a lifelong battle against Rett syndrome.
Her godparents Wayne and Coleen were with her in the room when she died in her mother’s arms.
Coleen’s parents, bricklayer Tony and nursery nurse Colette, adopted Rosie aged two, knowing she was disabled.
Fr Ned became friends with Wayne’s grandparents Billy Murray and Patricia Fitzsimons after they moved to Liverpool following their honeymoon in Bray, Co Wicklow.
He said: “I christened Rosie and Wayne was Rosie’s godfather. He was very close to her.
“He’s always been religious. Rosie had a beautiful face and people were drawn to her.
“She had a wonderful way about her.
“She used to come to Lourdes with us. The family loved her very much and had a huge impact on everyone.
“Every time that Wayne scored, he would point to heaven and dedicate the goal to Rosie.
“He used to say that he was going to be a priest. He was probably joking some of the time, but I’m sure he meant it as well.
“I think a lot of us think about becoming a priest when we’re young.”
Twelve years ago, when Rooney was asked why he wore crosses in training with England before the 2010 World Cup, he explained: “It’s my religion.”
He added: “I’ve been wearing them for years now and you don’t usually watch training [to see them.] I obviously can’t wear them in games.
“I believe in Jesus, of course. Did drawings of him at school and I said my prayers most evenings.
“I pray at night. I pray for my family and friends and for the health of everyone I love.”
Rooney was then told to stop talking about his religion by England’s FA who said, “We don’t do God” and, “We don’t do religion”.
Wayne went to St Swithin’s Roman Catholic Primary School and met future wife Coleen when he was still at De La Salle RC Secondary School.
Rooney, who is manager of Derby County, has four boys with Coleen – Kai, 12, Klay, 8, Kit, 6, and three-year-old Cass. Last year he shared photos when Kai made his Holy Communion.
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