When John Rooney beamed with pride after masterminding Macclesfield's seismic FA Cup victory over Crystal Palace, it wasn't just his tactical genius that had people talking. The 35-year-old manager's radiant, Hollywood-worthy smile almost outshone the achievement of dumping a Premier League side out of the competition.
The Historic FA Cup Shock
John Rooney's sixth-tier Macclesfield side pulled off what is mathematically the biggest shock in FA Cup history, defeating their top-flight opponents 2-1. Crystal Palace sat a staggering 117 places above Macclesfield in the English football pyramid, making the victory at a packed Moss Rose ground all the more remarkable. The emotional climax saw John standing pitch-side next to his brother, Wayne Rooney, who was on punditry duty and visibly fighting back tears.
A Smile That Sparked a Social Media Frenzy
Viewers on social media platform X were quick to comment on John's transformed appearance. One user joked they needed sunglasses to avoid being 'dazzled' by his new teeth, while others questioned if anyone in football had a better smile. This marks a significant shift for John, who has spent 25 years in the considerable shadow of his legendary brother, former England captain Wayne.
Dental and aesthetics experts weighed in on the change. Dr Ducu Botoaca, an aesthetics doctor, told the Daily Mail that "straighter, brighter teeth often give the impression of a fresher face and can make features look more balanced and youthful." Analysis of older photographs suggests John once had a noticeable gap on the upper left side of his mouth, possibly missing a premolar.
The most likely timeline for his dental work points to late 2019 or early 2020, during his time at Barrow. The first recorded comment about his new teeth appeared on X in January 2020. Experts also noted his overall 'glow-up', attributing it to likely skincare, good lifestyle habits, and the confidence from professional success.
A Footballing Journey Out of the Spotlight
Unlike Wayne, John's career unfolded away from the glaring spotlight. A journeyman attacking midfielder, he played for 11 clubs, including spells in the USA with New York Red Bulls and Orlando City, before returning to England's lower leagues. He once told The Express, "People are obviously going to bring Wayne up but I’ve got my own career. I’ve got to put myself first."
While the Rooney brothers famously partied together in their younger days, John has largely avoided the public scrutiny faced by Wayne and their middle brother, Graham. His path has been quieter, bouncing around the National League with clubs like Wrexham, Barrow, and Stockport County before moving into management.
This historic win has abruptly ended that quiet period. Macclesfield's fairytale continues with a trip to Woking in the FA Trophy, before the ultimate Valentine's Day date: hosting another Premier League giant, Brentford, in the FA Cup fourth round on February 14th. With a smile that could light up any stadium, John Rooney has finally stepped into the limelight on his own terms.
