Wayne Rooney has shared a story about crossing paths with LeBron James and Team USA during a night out at the Olympics.
The England football legend, now a manager, recalled the encounter while reflecting on memorable off-field moments. According to Rooney, the U.S. men’s basketball team had taken over a bar during the Games, with security keeping most people away.
“They were all there—Kobe Bryant, LeBron, all these massive superstars,” Rooney said on BB Sport, via HoopsHype. He explained that when he first tried to approach the group, security quickly stopped him.
Rooney didn’t push the issue and walked away, but LeBron James soon noticed him. The NBA star called him over, creating a more welcoming moment.
The Manchester United icon said he and LeBron had met before at a Nike event in Portland, which may have sparked James’ recognition. That connection allowed Rooney to join the group and share a lighthearted evening with some of basketball’s biggest names.
Photos were taken with several members of the U.S. squad, including candid shots of Rooney and his wife, Colleen. However, Rooney joked that all of the pictures turned out poorly because of one detail.
“I don’t know whether it was my fault or her fault, but in every picture she had a straw stuck in her hair—so all the pictures were ruined,” Rooney said.
Despite the mishap, he described the night as a fun memory. Meeting athletes of that stature, especially figures like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, made the occasion stand out.
