Wayne Rooney Praises Tottenham’s Rising Star After Villarreal Win

Spurs Edge Villarreal in Champions League Opener

Tottenham Hotspur began their Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Villarreal. The decisive moment came when Lucas Bergvall’s cross forced an own goal from the Spanish side’s goalkeeper, ensuring Spurs marked their European return with three points.

Although manager Thomas Frank admitted his side’s overall performance left room for improvement, the result was all that mattered.

19-year-old Lucas Bergvall is quickly becoming a fan favourite at Tottenham Hotspur 🫶 pic.twitter.com/HgeAL64OJP

— OneFootball (@OneFootball) September 16, 2025

Rooney Impressed by Bergvall’s “Fantastic” Maturity

After the match, Wayne Rooney was full of praise for 19-year-old Lucas Bergvall, who delivered a standout performance in the number ten role.

Rooney, speaking on Prime Video, highlighted the youngster’s maturity beyond his years:
“Sometimes you forget how young he is. He played a lot of games last season, and the maturity he shows is fantastic. Playing as a number ten isn’t easy — it’s about finding the right positions and being brave on the ball — but today he showed another side to his game that will only make him better in the future.”

Bergvall’s display earned him the Man of the Match award on his Champions League debut, underlining his growing reputation as one of Europe’s brightest prospects.

From Midfield Anchor to Playmaker

Traditionally used as a deeper midfielder in the six or eight roles, Bergvall has recently been pushed further forward into a number ten position. The tactical shift has paid dividends. Against West Ham last week, the teenager scored after making a clever run behind the defence, showing his natural instinct in more advanced areas.

Speaking after the Villarreal clash, Bergvall explained:
“When I play as a 10, we need those runs forward and I think I did it well today and in the last game. I’ve played a lot at six and eight, but this year I’ve played more as a 10.”

Carrick Backs Bergvall’s Development

Former Manchester United and Tottenham midfielder Michael Carrick also heaped praise on Bergvall’s adaptability.

He told the Swedish international:
“It’s not easy, especially as a young player, when you want to get on the ball all the time. But tonight you showed patience, maturity, and the intelligence to make your runs at the right moments. That shows a real understanding of the role.”

Carrick’s words echoed Rooney’s assessment that Bergvall is not just coping but thriving in his new role at Spurs.

A Talent to Watch

At just 19, Bergvall is quickly establishing himself as a key figure for Tottenham. His technical quality, tactical flexibility, and composure under pressure have already drawn praise from legends like Rooney, Shearer, and Carrick.

If his Champions League debut is anything to go by, Spurs may have unearthed a star capable of shaping their European campaign.