Eighteen-year-old Wayne Rooney was the toast of his country on Friday after his two goals against Switzerland helped England get back into contention in Euro 2004.
"Roo The Man," trumpeted The Sun after the Everton striker became the youngest goalscorer ever in the European Championship finals.
"Rooney to the Rescue," hailed The Daily Mail.
PHOTO: EPA
"Baby elephant brings the house down," was the accolade from The Times of the burly, strapping player who has been warned by his Everton manager this season to cut out the junk food.
The Guardian points out the abrasive teenager could have got himself sent off before he scored after he followed through on Swiss goalkeeper Jorg Stiel with studs showing, and was booked, and then wrestled their striker Alexander Frei to the ground.
"When Rooney finally detonated, it was in the right way, in the right place and at the right time," the paper adds.
Born on October 24, 1985, Rooney only wore an England shirt for the first time in February last year aged 17 years and four months, becoming England's youngest ever cap, in a friendly against Australia.
Before the tournament started Chelsea were said to be ready to make a US$54.5 million bid for the player.
They might have to double that now -- if not triple it, after the teenager's record-breaking showing at the showcase of Europe's soccer.
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