Wayne Rooney was on punditry duty for the BBC ahead of the 2026 FA Cup final but the former Manchester United and England striker appeared wearing a wrist support after suffering a hand injury while filming with Jordan Pickford
Tom Victor
18:01, 16 May 2026Updated 18:06, 16 May 2026
A man in formal attire, likely a sports analyst, stands on a football field holding a yellow microphone, with an empty stadium in the background.
Wayne Rooney appeared on the BBC ahead of the FA Cup final to explain his injury(Image: BBC)
Wayne Rooney has sustained a hand injury that may necessitate surgical intervention. The England icon revealed the setback during an appearance on the BBC's live coverage ahead of the 2026 FA Cup final, visibly sporting a wrist support throughout the broadcast.
Rooney featured amongst several guest pundits in the build-up to the showpiece event between Manchester City and Chelsea. He reflected on cherished FA Cup memories from his playing days while also addressing the hand injury — which occurred during a separate BBC filming session this week alongside England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford for his podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show.
"I went in goal and then it was a great save off Jordan and then I've messed my hand up," Rooney explained. When presenter Jason Mohammad pressed for further details, the former striker revealed: "I'm with a surgeon. I've been in the hospital and I'm back on Monday."
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Mohammad extended his best wishes before shaking Rooney's uninjured hand. The former forward spent the week interviewing Pickford for a BBC program feature, with the pair running through a series of goalkeeping drills at Everton's training ground. In attempting to keep out a Pickford penalty, Rooney dived and damaged his left hand.
The session with the Everton stopper also involved Rooney participating in various training exercises, all carried out in good spirits. The duo shared a brief spell as Merseyside teammates, with Rooney rejoining Everton in 2017 just days after Pickford's arrival from Sunderland.
Former England star Rooney has adapted seamlessly to punditry, having also ventured into management following his retirement. His managerial spells proved less fruitful and he has remained out of the dugout since departing Plymouth midway through the 2024/25 campaign.
Two individuals are standing on a football field, each holding a microphone, presumably engaged in an interview or commentary session. The field is expansive, with visible markings and seating areas in the background.
Wayne Rooney was wearing a wrist support as he appeared on the BBC(Image: BBC)
He secured numerous Premier League titles but possesses just one FA Cup triumph to his name. That arrived in 2016, when he skippered Manchester United to an extra-time victory over Crystal Palace.
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During an interview segment, Rooney and Pickford reminisced about an encounter from before they became club teammates. The duo first crossed paths on England duty, with the goalkeeper left starstruck.
"I watched you growing up and when I was watching you in the Euros and getting in an England squad, everyone looked up to you," Pickford said. "So even then [on the bus] I was texting saying: 'I'm opposite Wazza.' I was shaking.
"I was on the bench and it was a great experience. My dream was to play for England. We know there's only that small percentage of kids growing up get that opportunity."