Wayne Rooney Sends Kobbie Mainoo World Cup Good Luck Message

kobbie mainoo went into England’s World Cup opener against Croatia with a message from Wayne Rooney ringing in his ears. The 21-year-old revealed the note before Wednesday’s curtain-raiser, and it arrived after a season that sent his Manchester United future in different directions.

Rooney told Mainoo to be himself and said he would be a star at the World Cup. Mainoo said the words were amazing and called Rooney a role model, which matters because the message came from one of the most recognisable figures in both the England and Manchester United setups.

Mainoo and Rooney

Rooney’s full message was blunt and personal: “Hi Kobbie, just a message to say good luck at the World Cup. Just be yourself and you’ll be a star there, mate. Also, how you have handled everything this season has been a lesson to all young football players, a great example to young and old players.” He added: “And finally, you might not see, but having two lads in the United Academy, you should realise you are an inspiration to them and to the young lads there. Keep doing what you are doing. Be yourself. Much love, Wazza,”

That praise landed after a turbulent spell at club level. Midway through last season, Mainoo’s Manchester United career was described as being up in the air, and Ruben Amorim left him frozen out at Old Trafford. Michael Carrick then restored him to the starting XI after Amorim was given his marching orders.

Tuchel’s England squad

Mainoo’s place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad followed that revival. He had already started for England at the 2024 Euros under Gareth Southgate, so the Croatia opener placed him back in a tournament setting with a bigger spotlight and a familiar expectation to handle it.

He did enough in the second half of the campaign to help United to a third-place finish. For England, the immediate takeaway is simpler: Tuchel has taken him to the World Cup, Rooney has publicly backed him, and Mainoo now carries that support into a Wednesday opener that will shape how quickly he is trusted on the biggest stage.

For a player who was frozen out at Old Trafford before forcing his way back in, the message from Rooney arrives as both recognition and instruction. Mainoo has already shown he can respond to pressure; now he has to turn that into minutes and influence for England against Croatia.