Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney delivered a brutal assessment of the World Cup final half-time show, telling BBC viewers he thought the performance was “crap”.
Spain and Argentina entered the interval goalless at the MetLife Stadium before the pitch was transformed into a large concert stage.
Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS and Burna Boy were among the performers during the first half-time show staged at a men’s World Cup final. The Muppets also featured as FIFA attempted to create a Super Bowl-style spectacle.
However, Rooney made clear that the extended entertainment had not improved his experience of the match.
“I like a lot of those artists, but I thought it was crap,” Rooney said, with his reaction also carried by The Sun.
Rooney wants focus returned to football
Asked to identify the strongest moment of the show, Rooney replied: “When it finished.”
His comments prompted laughter from fellow BBC pundits Gabby Logan, Micah Richards and Joe Hart. They also reflected the mixed reaction among supporters to FIFA extending the traditional half-time interval.
Some viewers enjoyed the production and its collection of international stars. Others criticised the delay and questioned whether football’s biggest fixture required additional entertainment between the two halves.
Rooney has become one of the BBC’s leading pundits during the tournament and has regularly offered direct opinions on England, Manchester United and the wider game.
ReadManUtd’s profile of United’s all-time leading goalscorers places Rooney first with 253 goals following his successful 13-year spell at Old Trafford.
His latest contribution was not a detailed tactical assessment, but it may prove among his most widely shared moments of the World Cup.
Rooney wanted the football to return. Millions watching the BBC were left in no doubt about his verdict.
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