Many professional athletes are avid gamers. Their downtime (often greater than that of the average worker) and long training camps make it easy to spend hours gaming. It’s also an activity that brings teammates closer together.
Recently, one of Manchester United’s biggest stars, Wayne Rooney, revealed the unlikely secret behind the club’s golden era two decades ago: a PlayStation console and a single game.
It may be hard to believe today, as Manchester United faces one of its toughest periods in recent memory, but 20 years ago things were very different. The English club was at the top of its game, packed with world-class talent, and one of those stars was Rooney. The legendary forward, now retired, recently shared a surprising insight into what helped strengthen the team during its most successful years.
On The Wayne Rooney Show (via VGC), timed with the release of EA Sports FC 26, the former striker discussed the role video games played in shaping the team’s chemistry.
According to Rooney, those glory days were defined by the PSP and the tactical military shooter SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs.
“It would be me, Rio (Ferdinand), Michael Carrick, John O’Shea, Wes Brown. You have to talk, you have to tactically be right, go and revive people when they get killed and it was a massive part of our success – ask any of those players, it was brilliant.”
Why the PSP Was Such a Success
The PSP was a groundbreaking console when it debuted in 2004. It delivered near home-console-quality graphics in a handheld form, an unprecedented feat at the time.
With its high-resolution widescreen display, multimedia features (including music, video, and photo playback), and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, the PSP offered far more than gaming; it was a versatile entertainment device. Compared to other handhelds of its era, it delivered a more complete experience, appealing to both younger and adult audiences.
Another key to its success was strong developer support and a diverse game library. Franchises like God of War, Gran Turismo, Metal Gear Solid, and Monster Hunter helped cement its popularity among fans. Add to that Sony’s sleek design and intuitive interface, and the PSP quickly became one of the most stylish and forward-looking consoles of its generation.
