The former Manchester United captain has signed up for the new charity match concept in Asia
Former Manchester United hero and current TV pundit Wayne Rooney has signed up for a new role(Image: Getty)
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has landed a new role and is set to lace up his boots in the name of the charity once again.
Rooney, who has already featured in events for both Soccer Aid and the Manchester United Foundation in the last 12 months, is set to do so alongside some of football’s biggest names.
As confirmed on Instagram, the former England international has been called up for Nexon’s Icons Match, with 11 attackers taking on 11 defenders.
His former United team-mates Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand are just two other names who have been selected, with the encounter scheduled on September 13/14 in Seoul.
Last year’s clash saw the likes of Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, John Arne Riise and Thierry Henry all involved, and a portion of the ticket sales totalling 100 million South Korean won (£53,000) was donated to the Nexon Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
£49
£35
Sky
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
“I’m surprised you’ve got Rio on the pitch,” began Rooney following the announcement of his inclusion.
“I’m sure that would have been a tough job to get him on. Vidic is still obviously in good shape, and I played against him not long back as well, so he will take it very seriously, as always.”
When asked who the United legend would like to play with in his all-out-attack 11, Rooney gave a defining answer.
“Thierry [Henry] would be nice. Listen, I have come up against him many times and it’ll be fun. Normally, the attackers get the better of them [the defenders].”
Brazil icon Ronaldinho is another name to have already been snapped up, too, with Michael Carrick, Sol Campbell, Alessandro Nesta, Iker Casillas and Gilberto Silva all advertised as notable editions for the 2025 event.
Rooney has seemingly prioritised his media work after leaving Plymouth Argyle back in December.
The former United captain is working more frequently across the BBC and other platforms, with it unknown whether he is still on the search for another attempt at a career in management.