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Former England skipper Wayne Rooney has delivered a sharp critique of the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show, admitting he was eager for the music to end. The Manchester United legend was left thoroughly unimpressed by the star-filled performance at MetLife Stadium, which featured international icons such as Madonna, Shakira, and Justin Bieber.

Rooney dismisses World Cup halftime spectacle

The England great criticised the debut halftime show during the World Cup final, claiming the extended interval did little to entertain him. For the first time, football’s biggest event adopted a Super Bowl-style halftime performance during the final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Working as a BBC pundit alongside former Manchester City players Micah Richards and Joe Hart, Rooney was asked by presenter Gabby Logan to share his highlight from the 11-minute performance. The former England striker responded bluntly, making it clear he was not impressed by the presentation.

The show, put together by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, included performances and appearances by Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber, BTS, Burna Boy, the Muppets, and Sesame Street characters.

Star-studded lineup fails to impress Rooney

When asked to name his favourite moment from the halftime show, Rooney replied: “I’ll be honest, mine was when it finished.”

He added, “I like many of those artists, but I thought it was crap. It just didn’t get me going, and I wanted the football to start again. I like Burna Boy, I like Bieber, I like Shakira, but that was too flat.”

Richards, however, saw things differently and jokingly called Rooney “miserable” for not enjoying the entertainment.

On ITV, Roy Keane offered a more balanced take, saying: “It was a bit of an anti-climax, but I think the people in the stadium probably enjoyed it more than we did.”

Football tradition meets American-style entertainment

The halftime show represented a significant shift for the World Cup final, with FIFA introducing a Super Bowl-inspired production to the tournament’s biggest stage. The event was also linked to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, an initiative aiming to raise $100 million to support global education efforts.

The extended interval drew attention both before and after the final, with many concerned about its impact on the rhythm of the match. Rooney’s criticism echoed the concerns of traditionalists who believe football itself should remain the main attraction, despite FIFA’s push to enhance the entertainment side of the event.

Spain triumphs but halftime show debate lingers

Spain ultimately claimed the World Cup title with a 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina. Barcelona forward Ferran Torres struck the winning goal in the 106th minute, securing another major international success for Luis de la Fuente’s team.

While La Roja’s victory rightfully took the spotlight, the introduction of a World Cup final halftime show has ensured the debate continues. Rooney’s blunt remarks, together with the mixed feedback from other pundits, highlight the ongoing divide over whether football’s biggest stage should embrace a more entertainment-oriented approach.