Wayne Rooney, once hailed as Everton’s golden boy, has sensationally revealed the “nightmare” he and his family allegedly faced after his blockbuster transfer to Manchester United. The £27 million move, which catapulted the then-18-year-old into the national spotlight, apparently unleashed a wave of fury from Everton fans that went far beyond football rivalry.

In a dramatic interview, Rooney painted a picture of chaos and fear, claiming that his family homes were “spray-painted and smashed up” and that he received “death threats” from angry supporters. “My parents’ house was getting spray-painted and smashed up. My girlfriend at the time, wife now, had her house getting spray-painted,” Rooney declared, describing the supposed backlash as a traumatic ordeal for his loved ones.

Rooney, who grew up idolized in Liverpool, says the betrayal felt by Everton fans quickly turned personal. The footballer insists he had to develop a “don’t care” attitude to survive the onslaught, stating, “I knew what I wanted, and I knew how to get there. I had to stay tough in my mind. This was people from my city, so it was tough, but I thought ‘I don’t care’, you have to be selfish and make these decisions.”

Despite the alleged threats and vandalism, Rooney’s controversial move paid off on the pitch. He became Manchester United’s all-time top scorer and racked up a trophy cabinet most players can only dream of. But, according to Rooney, the personal cost was immense,a price he claims young athletes are still paying today.

Rooney didn’t stop there. He took aim at the pressures of modern football, blaming social media for making things even worse for the next generation. “Now the difference is social media… there are hundreds of thousands or millions of people watching them when they’re that young, and I didn’t have that really,” he said, referencing his own son Kai, who is now in Manchester United’s youth ranks.

With his son following in his footsteps, Rooney warned that the scrutiny is only intensifying. “You’re getting judged. Rightly or wrongly, you get judged, and that’s where you need the people around you, people at the club or your family, to keep you in a good place,” he advised, sounding the alarm for young players everywhere.

Rooney’s claims have reignited debate about the dark side of football fandom and the supposed dangers of social media. Whether you see him as a victim or a villain, one thing is clear: Wayne Rooney’s story is yet another reminder of the high stakes and high drama that come with football’s biggest moves.