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Could an African nation finally win the World Cup? How close did Ghana come to making history? Wayne Rooney and Michael Essien relive glory, heartbreak and unforgettable battles
From Ghana's unforgettable rise at the 2006 World Cup to the heartbreak of Luis Suárez's infamous handball in 2010, Michael Essien reflects on carrying the hopes of a nation, the pressure of football's biggest stage and why Ghana still believe their greatest achievement is still to come.
The pair also revisit the brutal battles between Manchester United and Chelsea, discuss José Mourinho's winning mentality, and reveal why facing each other was one of the toughest challenges of their careers.
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"Essien & Rooney: ‘We’d have done the Suárez handball’" is an episode of The Wayne Rooney Show. Runtime 30 min. Published June 23, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.