It’s been more than 20 years since that iconic picture of Wayne Rooney hilariously licking a giant lollipop alongside Coleen was snapped. 

Back in Wayne Rooney’s Everton days, a particular photo of the football legend caught the internet’s funny bone. Over the years, this image has been humorously shared and even inspired creative Halloween costumes.

And this week the Man United legend, now very much with his playing days behind him, was at-last reunited with the famous lollipop. 

Rooney said while chuckling: ‘Do you know the reason I bought that?

‘I seen it, and the only reason I bought it was to smash it up!’

It’s been more than 20 years since the iconic photo of Wayne Rooney with his giant lollipop was snapped

But this week the Man United legend was reunited with the viral sweet treat, hilariously admitting he only bought it to ‘smash it up’

But not only did the pap-snap go viral for the lollipop back in 2003, but also for Rooney’s peculiar choice of outfit on the Portuguese coast. 

The Englishman was pictured sporting some incredibly short shorts and a navy tank top – an outfit humorously replicated by a football fan in 2022. 

One dedicated Wayne Rooney fan, Alex Williamson, recreated the look for Halloween that year, and surprisingly, the image made its way to Rooney himself.

When Rooney saw Alex’s costume on social media, he appreciated the humor and responded, “Great effort 😂👍.”

Alex explained to LadBible that his costume was inspired by Rooney’s impact both as a football icon and in fashion.

‘Ever since I saw the famous picture of him and the United squad out in town in their bootcut clobber, I’ve been an avid fan. 

“I watched Rooney’s first 100 Premier League goals before going to a friend’s house party. My friends thought my outfit really nailed it,” Alex mentioned.

‘I thought I’d get some replies on social media but not for it to take off like it has. I’m getting a notification per second!’

Back in 2022 a Wayne Rooney fan, Alex Williamson, funnily dressed up in the footballer’s iconic holiday outfit for Halloween

This funny nod to Rooney came during a week when he was also discussing more serious matters, like Manchester United’s poor start to the season.

The hilarious throwback moment for Rooney came during a week where he discussed more serious matters, namely Manchester United’s dismal start to the season. 

Ruben Amorim’s men sit 14th in the Premier League after losing half of their opening six games. They’re also out of the Carabao Cup having lost to League Two minnows Grimsby Town.

And speaking on his podcast this week, Rooney admitted he ‘has no faith’ those at the club will be able to turn their dire form around. 

‘It’s just not good enough from the managers, the coaches, the players,’ he said. 

‘I’ve tried my hand at management, and it didn’t work out too well, so I get it,’ the former Derby County and Birmingham City manager added.

‘Ruben Amorim is my age, a bit younger, he’s still a young manager. I’m sure he has a great future. But what is going on at Man United? I don’t recognise the whole football club.

‘I honestly hope he can turn it round and he does. But if you’re saying to me, ‘do you believe he will?’, then, after everything I’ve seen, honestly, I’ve got no faith in it.’

But the former Premier League icon did not stop there, instead sharing the blame over the team’s fortunes with some of the players.

‘I don’t see players fighting, I don’t see character, I don’t see a desire to win, I don’t see ability, I don’t see match winners, nothing that gets me off my feet,’ he continued.

‘I go to watch the team and think, ‘here we go again. we’re going to lose, or maybe nick a point’. This is not Man United.’

The Red Devils face Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday.