Wayne Rooney has undergone plastic surgery to repair his nose after sustaining two breaks during his playing career. The England football legend disclosed the procedure in the first episode of his new podcast, "Stick to United." Rooney, who is one week removed from the operation, appeared with two plastic tubes inserted in his nostrils, which he stated are temporary.
"It's actually really lucky I've got no black eyes, but I've still got two plastic tubes up my nose, which are coming out very soon," Rooney said on the podcast. "I can't wait for them to come out. So, they've cut here (under my nostrils)" ... "So that's all stitched - a little bit uncomfortable."
Rooney recounted that his first nose break occurred while playing for Manchester United against Preston in an FA Cup match in 2015. He noted that his former teammate Marouane Fellaini also broke his nose during the same game. "But he missed the next couple of games," Rooney recalled. "I didn't miss any games."
The second time Rooney broke his nose was during his tenure with D.C. United in July 2018. He sustained the injury in a match against MLS rivals Colorado Rapids, which his team won 2-1. Rooney had scored his first goal for the club in that game, three matches after his move from Everton. During the match, Colorado Rapids player Niki Jackson collided with Rooney, resulting in a bloody nose and a subsequent black eye.
Rooney had put off surgery for the injuries but decided to address them this past summer after the World Cup. He stated that the surgery went well, though he described the post-operative tubes as "horrible."
Repeatedly breaking his nose could have caused damage to Rooney's nasal septum and cartilage, potentially leading to breathing difficulties. The plastic tubes used in the surgery are designed to keep the nostrils open to aid the healing process.