Patrick Vieira and Wayne Rooney joins Premier League Hall of Fame
Patrick Vieira and Wayne Rooney have been inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame; becoming the first inductees in 2022. Between 1996 and 2005, Vieira was the heart of Arsenal’s midfield, helping the Gunners win three EPL titles. He was also a member of the Invincibles, a team who went undefeated in the 2003-04 season.
Rooney, on the other hand, is Manchester United’s all-time PL striker, with 183 strikes in 13 seasons. He won the league five times, including three times in a row between 2005/06 and 2008/09, and had two successful periods at Everton.
“Being inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame is a fantastic achievement,” Vieira said. “When I received the news, I thought about being a young boy playing in Senegal, or in a suburb of Paris.
“To be there with the best players in the Premier League, the best league in the world, is bigger than what I was ever thinking about. To have my name around those players makes me proud and makes me realize how good I was.
“It’s not bad company to join. I was lucky to play at the same time as some of them, of course including Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, so to share the stage with them makes me realize I had a really good career.
“What really makes me happy and proud is when your name is mentioned by new, up-and-coming holding midfielders as an example of how they would like to play.”
Rooney, who is currently the manager of Derby County, was ecstatic to be recognized.
“It’s a huge honour for me to be named in the Premier League Hall of Fame, alongside an incredible group of players who have already been inducted,” Rooney said.
“Growing up, I watched the Premier League as far back as I can remember. My dream was always to become a professional footballer, score goals and win trophies, and I was lucky enough to win the Premier League five times.
“I have so many brilliant memories from my years playing for Everton and Manchester United, and I’m really proud of what we achieved. To enter the Hall of Fame is very special for me personally and I’m grateful to be recognized.”
Later today, a shortlist of 25 further nominees for the Premier League Hall of Fame’s 2022 class will be announced, and fans will be able to vote for their favorites.
Premier League Hall of Fame 2021
- Alan Shearer
- Thierry Henry
- David Beckham
- Dennis Bergkamp
- Eric Cantona
- Steven Gerrard
- Roy Keane
- Frank Lampard
