Manchester United and Arsenal icons Wayne Rooney and Patrick Vieira become the ninth and tenth stars to be inducted into the Premier League’s Hall of Fame… joining list that includes Beckham, Gerrard, Shearer and Henry
Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney and Arsenal‘s ‘Invincible’ captain Patrick Vieira have become the latest legends to be inducted into the Premier League’s Hall of Fame.
The iconic duo become the ninth and 10th former players to be inducted, joining the likes of Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Steven Gerrard and David Beckham, who were all voted in during the Hall of Fame’s inaugural year in 2021.Rooney who broke through at Everton before winning five Premier League titles at United, described the induction as a ‘huge honour’. ‘It’s a huge honour for me to be named in the Premier League Hall of Fame, alongside an incredible group of players who have already been inducted,’ the 36-year-old who scored 208 Premier League goals – placing him second on the all-time list – said.
‘Growing up, I watched the Premier League as far back as I can remember. My dream was always to become a professional footballer, score goals, and win trophies, and I was lucky enough to win the Premier League five times.
‘I have so many brilliant memories from my years playing for Everton and Manchester United, and I’m really proud of what we achieved. To enter the Hall of Fame is very special for me personally and I’m grateful to be recognised.’
During 13 seasons at Old Trafford, Rooney scored 183 Premier League goals to become the club’s record scorer in the competition. He won the League five times, including three in a row between 2006-07 and 2008-09.
Thanks to a combination of raw talent and technical ability, he was named Player of the Month five times and won the League’s Player of the Season in 2009-10.
The England striker had many battles with Vieira on the pitch – with the latter playing for Arsenal and Manchester City. Vieira won three top-flight titles during 11 seasons with Arsenal and was named Premier League Player of the Season in 2000-01.
Helping to redefine the holding midfield role, the France World Cup winner is proud of his achievements.
The 45-year-old said: ‘Being inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame is a fantastic achievement. When I received the news, I thought about being a young boy playing in Senegal, or in a suburb of Paris.
‘To be there with the best players in the Premier League, the best league in the world, is bigger than what I was ever thinking about. To have my name around those players makes me proud and makes me realise how good I was.
‘It’s not bad company to join. I was lucky to play at the same time as some of them, of course including Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp. So to share the stage with them makes me realise I had a really good career.
‘What really makes me happy and proud is when your name is mentioned by new, up-and-coming holding midfielders as an example of how they would like to play.’
A shortlist of 25 additional nominees eligible to join the Premier League Hall of Fame in 2022 will be announced later on Wednesday, March 23, at 4pm with fans invited to help select six further inductees.
Source;dailymail
