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If you're of a certain age, you'll remember the moment you first saw a young Wayne Rooney. Dynamic, energetic, full of pace, power and everything else you could possibly want... Rooney had it all from the moment he stepped into the Premier League for the very first time.Many times, what would follow would be a cautionary tale, a story of a starlet that couldn't quite capture the potential to be great that was handed to them. Not Rooney, though. By the time his career was over, that young prodigy had become one of the best England had ever seen, dominating for both club and country for years upon years.With more winners' medals than you can count, Rooney helped lead an era of dominance atop the Premier League. He did so by doing a little bit of everything. Rooney was never a static player, but rather a chameleon. On the wing, up top, in the midfield... no matter where he played, he was going to influence a team's ability to win.To coincide with the release of his Future Stars Icon card on <a href="https://www.ea.com/en-gb/games/ea-sports-fc/fc-24/buy#Playstation" target="_blank">EA Sports FC24 on PlayStation 5</a>, GOAL takes a look back at Rooney's journey and how he went from Future Star to ICON...

From Future Star to FC Icon: How Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene and blasted his way to England immortality

It's hard to believe now, but on the day 16-year-old Rooney made his debut for Everton, he was repeatedly serenaded by three words from the Tottenham supporters at Goodison Park that day."Who are ya?"Well, the world would end up knowing who Rooney was before all was said and done but, at that time, he was a teenage prodigy destined for big things at Everton. The world didn't know it just yet, but those around Goodison Park knew they had a special, special player on their hands.That's why he was handed that debut, making him the second-youngest player in club history. He had been with Everton since he was nine years old and, against Tottenham on August 17, 2002, his journey with his boyhood club officially began. He assisted a goal in that debut, teeing up Mark Pembridge for the opener in a 2-2 draw.His first senior goals would come about a month-and-a-half later when he scored twice against Wrexham in the League Cup to become the club's youngest-ever goalscorer. Two weeks later, the 16-year-old scored a last-minute winner against Arsenal, announcing himself to the world. The goal ended the Gunners' 30-game unbeaten run and made Rooney the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history at the time.By 2004, he was already a full England international, having also become the youngest scorer in Euros history with his four goals in the tournament that summer, earning a spot in the UEFA Team of the Tournament.Additionally, in that summer of 2004, Rooney's life changed as he made the big transfer that would define his career.

Where it all began

Where do you even begin? When it comes to Rooney's time at Manchester United, it's a never-ending stream of accolades.In the summer of 2004, he made the move to Old Trafford, being handed the No. 8 shirt upon his arrival. In his debut against Fenerbahce in the Champions League, he scored a hat-trick. At 18 years and 335 days old, Rooney was the youngest to score three times in that competition.From that moment forward, Rooney never slowed down, establishing himself as one of the best players Man Utd, and the Premier League, has ever seen. By the time all was said and done, he'd scored 253 goals across 559 appearances, making him the club's top goalscorer of all time. His 208 Premier League goals for both Man Utd and Everton make him the competition's third-highest scorer of all time. Additionally, he has the third most assists in Premier League history, showing just how much of a threat he was in the attacking part of the field.With five Premier League medals and a Champions League trophy on his resume, Rooney's legacy was secure, but the forward also had some history to make on the international scene before all was said and done.

The big break

When you go down the list of legends that have worn and England shirt, it's easy to stop and stare. Names like Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard... all legendary figures that made huge impacts for club and country.If you're discussing England's best-ever player, though, it's hard to argue against Rooney, who very well could be the best the Three Lions have ever had.He broke through at just 17 and remains the country's youngest-ever goalscorer, but that was just the start. Over a 15-year England career, Rooney went to four World Cups and was named the country's Player of the Year four times, showing just how vital he was to his country.He's the country's most-capped outfield player, with only goalkeeper Peter Shilton having more caps than Rooney's 120. And, in September 2015, he etched his name in the history books by surpassing Charlton to break England's goalscoring record. That was his 50th international goal, the penalty he scored against Sweden, and he would go on to score three more before calling it a career after 120 international caps. His record has since been surpassed by Harry Kane, who himself is on the way to football immortality, but Rooney's starring role for club and country throughout a 15-year run of dominance can't be erased.

Becoming an ICON

It would be an exhausting list breaking down all of the things Rooney was good at. It would likely be easier to reflect on what aspects of the game he wasn't world-class in.The goals are the obvious starting point, as Rooney's goal record can go toe-to-toe with just about anyone on the highest level of the game. A dominant presence for both Manchester United and England, few have done it for longer at a higher level, with Rooney's skill in front of goal keeping him among the very best for a decade and a half.But Rooney was no mere goalscorer. At times, he drifted into the midfield, allowing him to have a more creative impact on the game. His passing was almost as good as his finishing, allowing him to be a complete forward who could be used in a variety of ways. He could play as a No.9, a No.10 and, on some occasions, even as a No.8 when called upon.Physically, Rooney was blessed. Particularly in those early years, his pace was a sight to behold, as the stocky starlet was able to burst through defenses at will. As he got older, though, Rooney's body filled out, giving him the strength to battle with some of the best defenders the Premier League has ever seen.The mental side was there, too. Rooney was aggressive, sometimes too much so, and had a workrate that felt almost out of place for a player of his caliber. Rooney was never afraid to work for the team, and his record of winning shows it.Ultimately, Rooney was a player seemingly built in a lab to play at a high level, one given every possible gift to ensure he would live up to his huge potential.

Biggest strengths

Rooney's Future Star ICON item is an upgrade on his Base and Thuderstruck cards, with his pace receiving a massive boost to reflect his early days on the scene.With 94 pace, Rooney will give players all they'll need in the pace department, while his 92 shooting will make him lethal in front of goal. With the Trivela+ playstyle, Rooney's outside-the-foot shots will be deadly once he does get lined up for a goalscoring chance.He's no slouch in the other aspects of the game, either. With 89 dribbling, Rooney can move with the ball, while his 89 physical stat will help him outmuscle and outjump some of the game's top defenders.With four-star skills and a four-star weakfoot, Rooney can do it all, making him a fantastic forward option for any player in Ultimate Team.Get your hands on <a href="https://www.ea.com/en-gb/games/ea-sports-fc/fc-24/buy#Playstation" target="_blank">EA Sports FC24 here</a>.

A closer look

From Future Star to FC Icon: How Wayne Rooney burst onto the scene and blasted his way to England immortality | Goal.com Cameroon

GOAL looks back on how Wayne Rooney took the world by storm after breaking through at Everton as a talented teenager.

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