Wayne Rooney delivered a blunt critique of the inaugural World Cup final halftime spectacle, calling the star-studded performance at MetLife Stadium a disappointment. Working as a BBC pundit during the Spain vs Argentina final, the former Manchester United striker admitted he counted down the minutes until the music ended and football resumed.
When presenter Gabby Logan asked Rooney for his highlight from the 11-minute show curated by Coldplay's Chris Martin, his response was unforgiving. "I'll be honest, mine was when it finished," he said. "I like a lot of them artists but I thought it was crap. It just didn't get me going and I wanted the football to come back on. I like Burna Boy, I like Bieber, I like Shakira, but that was too flat."
Mixed Reaction from Football Pundits
The halftime performance brought together global names including Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, BTS, Burna Boy, alongside Muppets and Sesame Street characters. FIFA introduced the Super Bowl-style break as part of efforts to expand entertainment appeal at the tournament's showcase event, with proceeds supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
Rooney's criticism reflected broader concerns about the format's impact on match flow. On ITV, Roy Keane offered a measured perspective, noting the stadium crowd likely enjoyed it more than television viewers. Meanwhile, fellow BBC pundit Micah Richards jokingly defended the entertainment, calling Rooney "miserable" for rejecting the spectacle.
Tournament Victory Overshadows Entertainment Debate
Spain ultimately won the World Cup 1-0 in extra time, with Barcelona forward Ferran Torres scoring the decisive goal in the 106th minute. Though La Roja's triumph dominated headlines, Rooney's candid assessment underscores the ongoing tension between preserving football's primacy and FIFA's push toward entertainment-first tournaments. The debate over whether the world's biggest sporting event should embrace broader spectacle now seems destined to continue at future World Cups.
