Wayne Rooney, TIME's Person of the Year 2026?

  • By Elizabeth Sy
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Wayne Rooney among finalists for TIME’s 2026 Person of the Year?
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According to a well-informed source, Wayne Rooney is leading the race to become Time magazine's Person of the Year in 2026. But while the footballer's fans are thrilled with the news, many people hold a very different opinion.

UPDATE 15/12/2025 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Why not Rooney for Person of the Year?

The list of nominees for Time magazine’s Person of the Year is always an eclectic mix of world leaders, pop culture icons, buzzworthy names, and human rights activists. The unexpected inclusion of the 40-year-old footballer, as a 2026 nominee has therefore sparked controversy and debate.

“What makes Rooney so important is the potential and influence he now has, rather than anything he has already done,” said a panelist who preferred to remain anonymous, adding that earlier this month, the footballer have already been named ‘English Of The Year’ by some major English newspapers and even ‘Liverpool Citizen Of The Year’ by the readers of a local gazette in Liverpool (Wayne Rooney's hometown).

Social Reactions to TIME’s Person of the Year

A representative for the footballer was not immediately available for comment, but the announcement generated immediate reaction on Twitter:

“Wayne Rooney Named Person of the Year Is No ‘Surprise’.”
— @TheNewsEditor, 14 Dec 2025
“Congrats! Wayne has this charisma that seems to come out of nowhere.”
— @SamanthaJones, 14 Dec 2025
“Past recipients include Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler ... then why not Wayne Rooney?”
— @TheClassicObserver, 14 Dec 2025

Could 2026 officially be the Year of Wayne Rooney?

Still, TIME’s editors will make the final decision about who will grace the magazine’s cover as its 2026 Person of the Year.

Who do you think should be TIME’s Person of the Year for 2026?

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