Wayne Rooney has scored 42 goals for England[GETTY]
It's almost 'Roy Of The Rovers' territory imagining residents still being in fear of their windows as the Three Lions captain - destined to be the country's youngest-ever centurion - exhibits a passion for the game which developed during his schooldays.
Often, after making his debut for Everton as a 16-year-old, he would rush back to his Croxteth home, grab his BMX bike and cycle off for a kickabout with his pals.
Now almost 13 years later, Rooney hasn't forgotten his roots and at every opportunity he dismisses his iconic status in the game and recaptures his starry-eyed embryonic years.
It was his former manager, both at Everton and Manchester United, David Moyes, who labelled Rooney the last of the street footballers.
Rooney concurred: "I've always believed myself to be from the streets in terms of football. I've always played on the streets with friends and still do now and again when I get time. Yes I go and do that," he admitted.
While that confession provoked some startled looks from his inquisitors following England's 5-0 victory on Thursday night against San Marion, in which his penalty advanced his personal tally of goals to 42 - just seven behind all-time leading scorer Sir Bobby Charlton - Rooney simply wondered what the fuss was all about.
"That is where I learnt to play football. There was a lot of help along the way from the academy but the majority of my football was learnt on the streets," he added.
"Now and again I go back and see friends where I am from and we have a kick-around. Everywhere we go, we sit there, and there is a ball. I'm obviously not running around but we stand there and have a kick-around.
"Nobody is really fussed (about Rooney's involvement). I'm back there quite a lot. It's keepy-ups and messing around."
Hodgson on Rooney s accent comments and San Marino [AMBIENT]
At Everton everything happened so quickly for me
Wayne Rooney
Rooney was destined for greatness from the moment he pretended he was Everton hero Duncan Ferguson and England great Paul Gascoigne in the schoolyard.
This evening against Estonia he will lead out England in his 99th appearance for his country. The century is set to follow at Wembley on November 15 against Slovenia.
That milestone will be enriched in the knowledge that he will replace Bobby Moore as England's youngest player to notch 100 caps.
"I used to love watching England. I remember the 1998 World Cup and the stand-out moment was Michael Owen and what he did," Rooney said. "That is when I really started watching England closely.
"Then at Everton everything happened so quickly for me in terms of the progressing through the youth team and then the first team, then within six months into the England set-up. It is always a dream playing for England and thankfully I've done it many times.
"Who was I in the playground? I was always an Everton player. I had a few. I loved Duncan Ferguson, then Paul Gascoigne joined the club. He wasn't at Everton for long but he was obviously a hero with England."
Now it has hardly sunk in that he will soon join an elite band of players who have completed a ton of games for the Three Lions. It is highly feasible he could surpass Peter Shilton's all-time record of 125 caps.
Rooney said: "It's a great feeling. It's an honour to play for England, which I've said many times. Everyone has seen the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole in recent times passing the 100-cap mark and hopefully I play in the next two games and I can do that. It will be a proud moment for me.
"I couldn't have ever imagined this when I made my first appearance for England. At that age you don't look beyond the next game. You are lucky and it is a privilege to play in the games that I've clocked up.
"I've always said that I don't want to stop playing for England after I get 100 caps. I want to get many more after that and try to do my best for the team."
Rooney has captained England in both of their successful Euro 2016 qualifiers this autumn [GETTY]
Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
He easily recalls his first game - one in which he shared the limelight with big mate, former Everton and Arsenal striker Francis Jeffers.
"It was a bit strange, Australia at West Ham and we lost 3-1. There was a complete change at half-time. I came on. It was great as me and Franny Jeffers played the second half up front together.
"We were from the same area and same school and had a few coaches coming up from the school taking the kids to watch. I'd only just left school as well. It was a great day."
So what advice would today's Rooney pass on to the young teenage Rooney?
"I don't know. I have no regrets in what I've done. I've tried to do everything I can on the football field the best I can and have no regrets with any choices I've made," he added.
Now Rooney is determined to reward the England fans. He and the rest of the players were amazed that nearly 56,000 watched the European Championship qualifier against San Marino.
He said: "It's fantastic to be honest. A few of us were talking about that in the dressing room. It was the highest in Europe on the night. It shows the faith the fans have in us and what a great nation we are. The team was really thankful for the support."
His goal was also met with a celebration towards the sky.
"I've been doing that after every goal for my sister-in-law (Rosie) who passed away. It's for her," he stated.