FANS were left wondering what might have been after Wayne Rooney revealed the critical mistake that stopped him playing for Ireland.
The Manchester United legend is an England legend, having scored 53 goals in 120 caps for the Three Lions.
But it could have been entirely different as he revealed he came extremely close to playing for the Boys in Green.
He qualifies to play for Ireland through his paternal grandparents, and admitted that he was approached to play for them by former manager Mick McCarthy.
Speaking on the Stick To Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, Wazza said: “Mick called me up.
“I spoke to Lee Carsley, and he spoke to Mick and I was close to doing it.
“Then they called me up for the 21s. I was like, ‘I’m not playing for Ireland U21s’. I can play for England 21s.
“It obviously never happened, and I went to play for England.
“I would have probably went [if they put me in the first team].”
Ex-United team-mate Roy Keane quipped: “That was another one of your big mistakes.
“You could have played for Ireland. You live to regret it!”
Rooney went on to play at six major competitions – three European Championships and three World Cups.
And while Keane’s reaction to his former teammate’s shock admission was tongue-in-cheek, Ireland fans lamented what could have been.
Liam posted: “When will our suffering end” while Jamie said: “another mistake by the FAI the team we could have had sigh”
A third theorised: “[Shay] Given; [Steve] Finnan – [Richard] Dunne – [John] O’Shea – Hates; [Aiden] McGeady – [Roy] Keane – [Matt] Holland – [Damien] Duff; [Wayne] Rooney – [Robbie] Keane
“Holy f***ing s*** we would’ve won Euro 2004 with that team”
A fourth said: “16 year old rooney could’ve easily started for the irish senior team offering him the U21s was a mistake”
Anto commented: “Big Mick f***ed up there.
“Could’ve had Rooney playing for Ireland if he had more sense and put him in the full team.”
A fifth said: “So we f***ed up by calling Rooney up for The U21s? Ffs man, he could’ve been an Ireland International
“Rooney X Keane front 2 would’ve been a movie”
