Hall of Fame

League's legends celebrated at Hall of Fame event

27 Apr 2022

2022 inductees including Wayne Rooney and Patrick Vieira honoured in London

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A line-up of Premier League legends gathered in London last week for the first Premier League Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Hall of Fame 2022 inductees Vincent Kompany, Wayne Rooney, Patrick Vieira and Ian Wright were in attendance and took to the stage alongside inaugural inductee Alan Shearer.

Hall of Fame 2002 event Wayne Rooney, Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, Patrick Vieira, Vincent Kompany
2021 Hall of Fame inductee Alan Shearer, centre, joined this year's cohort, Wayne Rooney, Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, Patrick Vieira and Vincent Kompany

The ceremony, hosted by broadcaster Kelly Cates, featured each of the players formally receiving their Hall of Fame medallions from Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Masters, in front of their families and guests including Gary Lineker and Dan Walker, DJ Roman Kemp, music artist AJ Tracey and YouTubers Chunkz and Elz the Witch.

Manchester United duo Paul Scholes and Peter Schmeichel, Chelsea's legendary forward Didier Drogba and Manchester City’s all-time leading scorer Sergio Aguero shared video messages after they were unable to attend in person.

Rooney, who attended the event with wife Coleen, said: “If I had the chance to have played with any of the Hall of Fame inductees, it would have to be Thierry Henry because of the player he was and his ability to score and create goals.

"Current Premier League players who I think can be future inductees, I’d have to go for Kevin De Bruyne, Mo Salah and Harry Kane.”

Premier League Hall of Fame event 2022 - Wayne Rooney and Vincent Kompany
Wayne Rooney and Vincent Kompany catch up after once being rivals on opposite sides of Manchester

When asked the same question, Vieira selected from one of his fellow 2022 inductees, while picking a player under his present charge at Crystal Palace as a potential future Hall of Famer.

"It would have to be Paul Scholes," Vieira said. "He’s one of the best to ever play in the Premier League.

"The current players that I can see making it into the Hall of Fame would be Kevin De Bruyne for sure. I hope that Wilfried Zaha will make it one day, and Sadio Mane.”

2022 Hall of Fame Patrick Vieira
Patrick Vieira said he would pick fellow 2022 inductee Paul Scholes as his ideal team-mate

Wright said that when he found out he had been inducted, it was extremely "emotional and humbling" and dedicated the honour to his former Palace manager Steve Coppell.

He said: "I have received so many messages from fans which is incredibly touching. It’s the stuff dreams are made of to be amongst this group of elite players. I want to dedicate my induction to Steve Coppell who first took a chance on me, to take me off the building site and give me my chance at being a professional footballer.”

Premier League Hall of Fame event 2022 (10)
Ian Wright dedicated his induction into the 2022 Hall of Fame to his former Crystal Palace manager Steve Coppell

Kompany, whose guests included wife Carla and his father Pierre, said: “This moment is difficult to describe but I am incredibly honoured. I am probably the most injured Hall of Famer though. I may have depended on my team-mates at times but I also tried to make others better."

2022 Hall of Fame Vincent Kompany with his father holding the medallion
Vincent Kompany, who brought his father to the event, joked that he was the most injured Hall of Fame inductee

Shearer felt honoured to have the current crop of stars join him in the Hall of Fame.

“I just love football, I would play in a Sunday League if I wasn’t professional, so to be on a list among so many great players who have graced the Premier League and achieved so much is a great honour."

2022 Hall of Fame Alan Shearer and son Will
Alan Shearer, with his son, Will, said he thought that Kevin De Bruyne, Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane would join him in the Hall of Fame in the future

Shearer also went for De Bruyne, Salah and Kane as current players destined to join him. "They’re all fantastic players,” he said.

Hall of Fame 2022 event Gary Lineker
Former striker and now TV presenter Gary Lineker was among the VIP guests

The Hall of Fame recognises and celebrates the exceptional skill and talent of individuals who have graced the Premier League since its inception in 1992. It is the highest individual honour awarded to players by the League.

2022 Hall of Fame event Jason Bell
Former NFL star Jason Bell was also among the star guests at the event

All inducted players receive a medallion engraved with their name and the year of their induction, as well as a £10,000 donation from the Premier League to a charity of their choice.

Also in this series

Part 1: Six new inductees voted into Premier League Hall of Fame 
Part 2: Wright humbled by entry into Hall of Fame  
Part 3: Schmeichel: I made sure I was remembered
Part 4: Scholes: Joining Hall of Fame a special feeling
Part 5: Drogba: Being in Hall of Fame a real honour
Part 6: Kompany delighted to be voted into Hall of Fame
Part 7: Aguero: My son will be proud of me in Hall of Fame

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