Dowman has only just turned 16 and has already got on the scoresheet in a Premier League match for the Gunners, netting in a vital 2-0 win against Everton at the Emirates Stadium. Rooney’s start to life in senior football eerily mirrors that.
Instead of scoring for Arsenal against Everton, the England legend netted his first goal in the division for the Toffees against the north Londoners. The long-range winner in 2002 came at Goodison Park, in front of Rooney’s home fans, much like Dowman’s effort.
Wayne Rooney’s Everton Wage as a Teenage Prodigy
Speaking on a recent episode of his BBC podcast (per Mail Sport), Rooney revealed how much money he was earning as a 16-year-old after that Arsenal stunner. He did confirm a deal with Ford that hadn’t benefited him since the age of 14, but he wasn’t quite making big bucks when he first came onto the scene. The striker-turned-pundit said:
“I had a deal with Ford from when I was about 14. Obviously they weren’t giving me cars then, but that was for my dad.
“When I scored against Arsenal, I think I was on £75 per week, but that was four days before my 17th birthday.”
Times were hard for the centre-forward, who admitted he would borrow money from his parents while still on scholarship terms. He continued: “When you turn 17, you can sign a professional contract, so I was still on my scholar [deal]. I used to borrow money off my mum and dad until I signed my pro contract!”
AI has ranked the 10 greatest English players in football history, with four Manchester United icons making the list.
“I remember I went into Audi thinking I was going to get this big Audi, when I was 17 and passed my test, and then remembered I had a deal with Ford,” he joked. Just £75 each week is nothing compared to what his compatriot Dowman is earning in north London.
Dowman Blows Rooney’s Wages Out of the Water
While he hasn’t quite hit the big time in terms of salary, Dowman has a £35,000-per-week contract waiting for him when he turns 17 in December. The midfielder is only earning a fraction of that currently, but it’s still considerably more than Rooney.
He might be one of the most talented teenagers on the planet, but the dressing room is off-limits for him.
He takes home £350 each week, which is five times as much as the Three Lions icon at the same age. Dowman has big expectations surrounding him already, and Arsenal will be hoping he plays a bigger role next year when he’s taking home over £400,000 annually.
With the 2026 World Cup nearly upon us, perhaps the biggest story so far has been around the treatment of players, staff and fans coming into North America. Mexico, Canada and the United States are co-hosts, but the latter nation has not been particularly welcoming.
A number of stories have broken in the last week, detailing issues for those arriving in the US. Most notably, top African referee Omar Artan was interrogated for 11 hours, held in a cell, and then sent home due to vetting concerns. He will no longer be able to officiate at the tournament.
It seems as though there is no end to these issues, with football legend and Uzbekistan manager Fabio Cannavaro the latest to suffer at the hands of the overzealous US security.
Fabio Cannavaro Questions Treatment of Uzbekistan Stars
Cannavaro won the 2006 World Cup as Italy captain, making him one of the greatest centre-backs of the modern era. He won the Ballon d’Or on the back of that success, becoming just the second defender to win the prize, after German icon Franz Beckenbauer (in 1972 and 1976).
The Italian, now 52, took charge of Uzbekistan in 2025 and will lead the country at their debut World Cup appearance. However, upon arriving in New York for their pre-tournament friendly match against the Netherlands on 8 June, his squad were met with a rather distrustful security team.
Footage quickly went viral as the Uzbekistan stars and their football legend manager were treated like criminals, as they underwent drug-sniffing dog and metal detector checks. Speaking to CGTN Sports Scene, Cannavaro has now called out the incident, noting:
“They said to me it’s the rules, but in the end the check was only for us.”
Senegal Squad Also Treated With Suspicion Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Cannavaro appeared to think that only his team were treated poorly in New York but more footage has since emerged of the Senegal being subjected to a thorough search on airport tarmac upon their arrival in the US.
The African team are based at Rutgers University in New Jersey, and it seems as though security were just as unsure about the Lions of Teranga, with midfielder Pathe Ciss, who plays his club football in Spain with Rayo Vallecano, seen having the soles of his feet scanned by a handheld metal detector.
The wary treatment of these athletes has certainly left a bad taste in the mouth for many football fans, with some questioning the wisdom of handing the United States hosting rights when their president, Donald Trump, seems so unhappy to have the world arrive at his doorstep.
Aston Villa are preparing for a busy summer transfer window after they secured qualification for the Champions League.
It was a phenomenal 2025/2026 season for Unai Emery’s side, who qualified for the Champions League while also winning the Europa League.
Qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition will allow Villa to shop in a different market when it comes to new additions this summer.
Emery’s side won’t want to stand still despite their impressive campaign, and with players being linked with departures, it could be a busy transfer window.
Romano: Aston Villa Eyeing Goalkeeper
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Zion Suzuki is among a list of three goalkeepers that Aston Villa are interested in ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Midlands club are reportedly eyeing the Parma goalkeeper, due to talks between Emi Martinez and Juventus.
Liverpool are in the market for a new centre-back during the summer transfer window after it was confirmed that Ibrahima Konate would be leaving the club.
Konate departed Anfield and looks set to join La Liga side Real Madrid in the summer, with his contract at Liverpool expiring.
The French defender has been a mainstay in Liverpool’s defence in recent years, partnering Virgil van Dijk under both Arne Slot and Jurgen Klopp.
Konate has struggled for consistency at times, and Liverpool may have been looking to bring in a replacement this summer regardless. Konate’s departure has certainly pushed it higher up their priority list.
The Reds do have Jeremy Jacquet arriving this summer, after he was signed in January. It remains to be seen whether he will come in and be a guaranteed starter.
Bastoni is also left-footed, meaning he can provide balance in the back four alongside Van Dijk.
Having a left-footed defender as part of a defensive pairing is very beneficial, something Liverpool haven’t had the luxury of in recent years.
Bastoni is incredibly comfortable on the ball whilst also being a powerful, tough-tackling defender. There’s an argument to suggest that not only would he be a competent replacement for Konate, he would also be an upgrade.
