Wayne Rooney celebrates 40th birthday in Dubai with Rio Ferdinand as footballer son Kai, 15, sends message

4 hours ago 10

By LUKE POWER, SPORTS REPORTER

Published: 14:28 BST, 24 October 2025 | Updated: 14:28 BST, 24 October 2025

Wayne Rooney received a hero's welcome from aspiring footballers as he celebrated his 40th birthday in the Middle East. 

The Manchester United legend took a trip to the Jumeirah Beach Hotel in Dubai to meet up-and-coming players at a luxury football camp.

Rooney was joined by Rio Ferdinand as he spent time with youngsters at the Football Escapes camp, which can fetch up to £13,000 for a five-day trip. 

Friday's temperature reached a sweltering 35C, but Rooney looked in good spirits as the confetti rained down and he clapped hands with the kids, as well as giving a speech. 

Ferdinand even appeared to spring out of a gigantic model football to surprise his pal on his special day. 

Rooney has previously taken his teenage son Kai there and coached the next generation at the sun-kissed spot of footballers earlier this year - including Kyle Walker's son Reign. 

Wayne Rooney celebrated his 40th birthday at a luxury football camp in Dubai, UAE

The Manchester United legend was joined by former team-mate Rio Ferdinand by the beach

Rooney has coached at the expensive Football Escapes camp in Dubai previously

And 15-year-old Kai shared a sweet message on his Instagram story for his father, sharing a picture of them having a meal with mother Coleen Rooney and writing: 'Happy birthday dad'.

The Rooneys also appeared to enjoy an evening playing at the Topgolf driving range in the city, as Kai shared a picture of that. 

They won't be able to spend forever in the United Arab Emirates, though. That's because Kai is involved in Manchester United's academy as he tries to emulate his dad and become an England star. 

The young forward has made great strides in United's academy and was bumped up to the under-19s squad earlier this season.

Just weeks later he bagged his first goal for the Under-18s with a left-footed volley rifled into the top corner against Middlesbrough.

However, Rooney suffered an injury and claimed in September that 'life can't get worse' as he shared a snap of himself on Instagram.

Unfortunately, he has had to ban dad Wayne from watching him play because of the attention he brings.

Coleen revealed on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! last year: 'Kai told Wayne to stop coming to football games, when he played grassroots tournaments and stuff because he used to get swarmed and he couldn't even watch the game. 

His footballer son, Kai, 15, posted a birthday message for him after they went out for a meal 

'How do you say to all of these kids, "Go away, I'm watching my son?"

'Adults, it's different, you could speak to them, so he just said, "Oh, dad there's no point you coming because you don't even watch me play anyway."

'Which is sad, but it can't be helped anyway. At the same time, the fans help you along the way and get you where you are.'

Wayne won't be able to spend too long on the sunlounger, anyway. The former striker is a pundit on Match of the Day and has his own BBC podcast. 

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