- Wayne Hennessey is a Welsh professional football player who was named in the Wales squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar – this became his first appearance at the World Cup and may also be his last due to his age
- The 38–year-old owes his career success to his parents, Paul Hennessy (father) and a nurse mother who gave up their jobs to help develop his
- The Welsh No.1 whose net worth is estimated at over $1 million is married to Kirsten Lee
Wayne Hennessey has a long-standing career in football as a Welsh goalkeeper who has played for the Wales National Team, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Crystal Palace, and Burnley, and was signed to Nottingham Forest in 2022. One of his major career highlights was being called to represent Wales national team at the FIFA 2022 Qatar World Cup 2022 which may equally be his last.
He currently has a Football League record of 9 successive clean sheets and wins and was named Football League Two Player of the Month in February 2007.
Early Life and Parents of the Welsh Player
Wayne Robert Hennessey was born on January 24, 1987, in Bangor, Wales. His parents are a self-employed father, Paul Hennesey, and a mother who was a nurse.
He grew up in Beaumaris where he started his youth career as a footballer. At the time, his supportive parents left their jobs, friends, and family to move with him.
Wayne has then reported that the sacrifice of his parents has contributed to making his career as great as it has turned out.
As regards his education, he attended Ysgol David Hughes before moving to Connah’s Quay High School.
He traces his career to when he was a trainee at Manchester City before he was released in 2003 at the age of 16. The same year, he joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in his youth career before he signed his first professional contract in April 2005.
What to Know About His Career Before The 2022 World Cup
In January 2007, Wayne’s career took a great turn when he joined Stockport County on a monthly loan. There, he set a Football League record of 9 successive clean sheets and wins.
He was also named the League 2 Player of the Month in February 2007.
In later years, he started another phase of his career with Crystal Palace in 2014 and was released in July 2021 before joining Burnley on a free transfer on a 2-year deal.
On 15 July 2022, Hennesey returned to the Premier League club, Nottingham Forest on a 2-year contract.
Looking into his national football career, Wayne played Under-17, Under-19, and Under-21. He has also played in the senior team and was later called for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Throughout his career, he has recorded the following awards:
- PFA Team of the Year: 2007-2008 Championship
- Football League Two Player of the Month: February 2007
- Wolverhampton Wanderers Player of the Year (2017-10 season)
- FA Cup Runner-up (with Crytal Palace (2015-16))
- Football League Championship (with Wolverhampton Wanderers (2008-09))
Why Wayne Hennessey May Play His Last World Cup at Qatar 2022
Despite the success of Wayne’s career, he never made it to the World Cup until 2022. His reaching the World Cup competition became a major milestone in his career as it became his first. It is also the first time for Wales since 1958.
Inasmuch as he is one of the goalkeepers to watch at the World Cup, it may as well be his last. The reason for this speculation is due to his age. He made it to the 2022 World Cup at the age of 35. Since the tournament holds after every 4 years, the next one would hold in 2026 when Hennessey will be 39.
Since most players retire before they turn 39, it may not be out of place for him to retire before then. However, there are rare cases when footballers such as Dino Zoff, Pat Jennings, Essam El Hadary, and Alfredo Talavera played at World Cup at 40 years. Hence, he may continue with the career and perhaps play at the biggest football tournament one more time.
Another reason why he may not play at any other World Cup after 2022 is if Wales fails to qualify again, especially since it took the country 64 years to qualify again. Nonetheless, if they qualify and he still plays professionally, then there are chances that he may play.
Net Worth of the Welsh Goalkeeper
Wayne Hennesey’s net worth is estimated to be above $1 million. He has earned majorly from his sporting career which has lasted over a decade.
With respect to how he has achieved this net worth, Transfer Market reports that his market value at the time of this writing is €500,000 while his highest value was in 2012 with a record of €5.50 million.
Here is the breakdown of his market value over the years
- Nottingham Forest: €500,000 (joined in July 2022)
- Burnley: €1 million (joined in July 2021)
- Crystal Palace: €2.5 million (joined in January 2014)
- Wolves: €2.5 million (joined in November 2013)
- Yeovil Town: €2.5 (joined in August 2013)
See Also: 6 Most Successful African Nations At The FIFA World Cup
Who is Wayne Hennessey’s Wife?
The 6 feet 6 inches tall footballer is married to Kirsten Lee. The couple keeps their private lives away from the public.
Nevertheless, his wife is reportedly “jealous” of his close relationship with footballer, Joe Ledley. The 2 men have been friends since childhood and even share the same room when they’re together.
While the relationship is platonic, the wife of Ledley is also jealous of the men’s closeness.
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