Wayne Rooney reveals he's had plastic surgery to fix his nose after breaking it twice during his football career - and is now left with two tubes up his nostrils

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 09:43 EDT, 18 August 2026 | Updated: 10:39 EDT, 18 August 2026 Wayne Rooney revealed that he has had to have plastic surgery to repair his nose after breaking it twice during his playing career. The England legend seemed a little bit worse for wear during his recording of the first episode of United-centric podcast Stick to United with co-host Mark Goldbridge, and explained that he was just a week out from undergoing an operation to fix long-term damage. 'It's actually really lucky I've got no black eyes, but I've still got two plastic tubes up my nose, which are coming out very soon,' Rooney explained, the tubes also affecting his tone of voice. 'I can't wait for them to come out. 'So, they've cut here (under my nostrils)... So, that's all stitched - a little bit uncomfortable.'Rooney shared that the first time he broke his nose came playing for Man United against Preston during their 2015 FA Cup clash, a match he remembers for 'a bit of a dive' he made which won him a penalty. 'And then when I went to DC, I broke my nose again,' he added. 'That was a bad one then. Wayne Rooney has opened up on the surgery he has undergone after suffering a broken nose The second time Rooney broke his nose came during his time at DC United in July 2018'So I needed surgery, but I've never had it. Put it off. And then this summer I thought get the World Cup out the way and I'll get it done. So had it done last week. Went well, but these tubes were horrible.' Rooney later recounted that during the same 3-1 victory against Preston at Deepdale, his former team-mate Marouane Fellaini also broke his nose. 'But he missed the next couple of games,' Rooney remembered. 'I didn't miss any games.' Breaking his nose multiple times will have likely damaged Rooney's nasal septum and cartilage, which can lead to issues with breathing. The plastic tubes inserted during the surgery will keep the nostrils open during the healing process. Rooney broke his nose a second time three years later while playing for DC United during a 2-1 win against MLS rivals Colorado Rapids. The game marked the first time that Rooney had scored for his new club, three matches after leaving Everton to move Stateside. Colorado Rapids star Niki Jackson had been pushed by one of his team-mates into a collision with Rooney, with the back of his head butting Rooney in the nose. Rooney was left bloodstained on the pitch and later suffered from a black eye as he healed from the injury.