World Cup halftime show reactions and Rooney’s viral take

The World Cup final delivered a stunning spectacle, but even amidst the global entertainment fireworks, some pundits found themselves taking a decidedly critical view of the halftime show. The event, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, brought together an eclectic mix of global superstars and football royalty, sparking both applause and some rather pointed criticism from sports heavyweights.

The final, held at the MetLife Stadium on July 19th, featured a lineup packed with names like Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Timothee Chalamet, Kylie Jenner, and Matt Damon in the audience. The football drama reached its peak when Spain triumphed over Argentina, with Ferran Torres netting the decisive goal in the 106th minute to secure the 1-0 victory.

The halftime show itself was a vibrant blend of musical acts. Madonna performed ‘Music’ alongside cameos from football legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, followed by The White Stripes’ ‘Seven Nation Army.’ The evening concluded with BTS delivering their massive hit ‘Dynamite,’ injecting undeniable energy into the atmosphere.

The segment also featured an unexpected twist: actor Jason Sudeikis appeared in character to introduce Justin Bieber, who delivered a solo rendition of ‘Everything Hallelujah.’ This was followed by Shakira and Burna Boy performing the 2026 World Cup anthem, ‘Dai Dai.’ Coldplay wrapped up the ceremony with their new song ‘We Dance,’ joined by a children’s choir.

However, not everyone was swept away by the glittering display. Former England footballer and BBC commentator Wayne Rooney offered a candid assessment of the performance, which quickly became the focal point for fan discussion. When asked about his highlights, Rooney delivered a blunt response: “I’ll be honest, mine was when it finished.”

Rooney admitted that while he appreciated many of the artists, the overall show lacked impact. “I like a lot of them artists but I thought it was crap,” he stated. He explained that it failed to motivate him and distracted him from the football action. While he acknowledged liking artists like Burna Boy and Bieber, he felt the performance was simply too flat.

This honest critique ignited a firestorm across social media. Fans seized on Rooney’s remarks, with commentators and other users offering increasingly colorful takes. Some likened Rooney to an employee on his last day before a holiday, while others deployed hyperbolic language, describing the experience as “a bad trip.”

The inclusion of football stars in the spectacle also drew attention. Comments arose regarding Ronaldo and Ronaldinho’s appearance during Madonna’s performance, with some users suggesting they seemed completely out of place or confused about what was happening. One observer joked that the duo looked like they hadn’t seen a soccer ball, adding, “This is elder abuse — Madonna included.”

The disjointed nature of the lineup generated further confusion for some viewers. One user summarized the experience by noting the bizarre mix: “I’ve seen Ronaldinho & Ronaldo driving Madonna in a car, Ted Lasso sub on Justin Bieber and now watching miss Piggy and Kermit the wrong singing on a piano. My head hurts.”

Even established musicians weighed in on the proceedings. Noel Gallagher, who had previously commented on the show, expressed reservations about the focus on football spectacle, noting that he prefers the traditional rhythm of the game over excessive ‘razzmatazz.’ Robert Smith echoed this sentiment, clarifying that the point wasn’t about the performers but about the culture surrounding the event.

Ultimately, the World Cup halftime show served as a potent reminder that while global entertainment can bring massive stars together, the real measure of an event often lies in the game itself. Whether you were mesmerized by the music or found it utterly flat, the reaction was loud, messy, and perfectly reflective of the divided opinions surrounding high-profile spectacles.