- Jan 17, 2006
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Rooney played 19 years. Milner started at a similar age and is still playing.I think Rooney and Owen are prime examples of talented young players whose careers ended prematurely because they were thrown into the deep end too soon. A combination of lower expectations and better management of (reduced) playing time during their early seasons of senior football may well have extended both of their careers. Both went from making their senior debut to carrying the weight of expectations for their team (from fans, teammates and their manager), in the space of a few months, then fizzled out during what should have been their prime years.
Messi and Ronaldo were integrated into senior football at a slower pace, peaked at a higher level (so their development was not stunted by reduced senior playing time in their teen years) and are both seeming likely to continue playing into their 40s (Ronaldo is only 6 months off 40). Foden's development has been managed in a very similar way and his career is going pretty well.
Not totally dismissing the idea but it can be a case of finding a pattern where there isn't one.