Wayne Rooney has revealed which former teammate he believes is among the finest players he has seen take a penalty.
The England legend proved to be highly effective from 12 yards throughout his illustrious profession as he scored 48 of his 61 attempts.
With Euro 2024 now underway, the previous Manchester United striker reminisced on past tournaments with the Three Lions when speaking on The Overlap.
One topic of dialogue was England’s shootout heartbreak against Portugal on the 2006 World Cup as they missed three penalties.
Rooney queried why Jamie Carragher was allowed to take one having missed his attempt, before lauding Chelsea icon John Terry as among the finest penalty takers he has seen.
Rooney naming Terry may come as a surprise to some given the previous defender’s famous penalty miss within the 2008 Champions League final against United.
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He had the chance to win the tournament for the primary time in Chelsea’s history but slipped and saw his effort hit the post, with United happening to win the match and title moments later.
“How can Jamie Carragher be taking a penalty in a shootout? That’s like, shocking,” he told Gary Neville on their Fan Debate Euros Special.
“The thing I’ll say is, John Terry was among the finest penalty takers I’ve ever seen, truthfully in training…
“So I went off the pitch [for United] within the Champions League final and I’m taking a look at him, because I’d seen him in training with England. I’m watching him walking up and I’m considering, ‘It’s over.’ Thankfully he slipped!”
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Terry previously reflected on the miss and said that he still thinks about it to today: “I suppose a very good thing with football is that nine times out of ten, you have got a game two or three days after, which is nice.
“You do not often get time to… unless it’s big finals or the Champions League after I missed the penalty, that is still with me today. I often still get up, literally the midnight and it’s there. Champions League final, missing the penalty.
“You could have so many successes, nevertheless it’s strange the way you do not forget that, but more importantly how everybody else remembers it as well, and reminds you.”
After his admission, latest Plymouth Argyle boss Rooney revealed how he instructs his players to practice their penalty technique.
“I practiced penalties, where I’d tell the goalkeeper what way I’m going and do it properly. However it does frustrate you when players come up and take a look at and fiddle. I say to my players now, ‘In the event you’re practicing, do it properly, the way you do it in the sport.’
“You may do as much practice, but you’ll be able to’t put within the place is the stadium, the fans, the pressure of it, obviously it’s completely different to whenever you’re stepping as much as what it’s on the training pitch.”
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