Wayne Rooney is one of many world-renowned players to have played in MLS and the England icon recently revealed a shocking difference between those who are at clubs as Designated Players, and those who are not.
It all starts from the moment you board a plane.
Watch: Wayne Rooney reveals treatment difference for Designated Players while traveling
Rooney was not accustom to MLS’ treatment for superstars.
The Manchester United and England men’s national team legend revealed a shocking treatment difference between Designated Players (DP) and the rest of the squad, with the hierarchies being set the moment they hop on a plane.
In an interview for The Overlap, co-hosted by former England internationals Gary Neville, Ian Wright and and United legend Roy Keane, Rooney talked about his experience as a player in MLS, with one of his key takeaways being the bizarre separation between players like him and the rest of the squad.
The former D.C. United player explained how a large amount of players, coming up the ranks or as new transfers, would be completely separate to the team, starting from the seating in flights to matches.
“The amount of players… who would come over and they’re completely separate to the team. [All of the Designated Players] are sat in first class, whereas the rest of the team are sat [elsewhere],” said Rooney.
Rooney, who is Manchester United’s all-time goalscorer, also mentioned he had originally declined the club’s offer to sit in first-class and away from teammates, preferring to sit besides his teammates. That is until he sat between two complete strangers.
“They offered me [to sit in first-class], [and] I said no, so I sit with the players and honestly, the first flight I was sat there with two random people next to me…”
“I’m trying to like, stay humble and be with my teammates — like ‘what have I done here?’”
The 38-year-old would also go on to explain that the American players, who are typically of a sporadic role in MLS clubs and very rarely take up a Designated Player spot, understand the treatment for DP’s, going as far as saying that they’re treated badly.
“A lot of the American lads, they understand. The American lads, to be fair, get treated bad over there,” he said.
@wearetheoverlap "I was trying to stay humble!" Wayne Rooney once turned down a first-class seat to stay with his teammates in economy while playing in the MLS! #rooney #mls #sticktofootball ♬ original sound - The Overlap
Rooney joined D.C United in 2018, scoring 23 goals and 15 assists in just 48 matches. He would leave the club in 2019, only to return in 2022 but as head coach.
Full Wayne Rooney The Overlap interview
