Rooney Insures His Hair – But One Footballer Took It a Step Further by Insuring His Private Parts!

In the world of elite sports, protecting personal assets goes far beyond luxury mansions and high-end supercars. Wayne Rooney has become the latest star to take out an insurance policy on his most prized assets by insuring his hair.

The former England international joins a long list of sporting icons who have chosen to safeguard specific body parts over the years.

David Beckham was one of the pioneers of this trend. Renowned for his sublime dead-ball delivery as well as his status as a fashion icon and entrepreneur, the former Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain star secured a €117 million policy in 2006. The deal covered his legs, feet, toes, and his global image, marking the largest personal insurance policy in sports history at the time.

Years later, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi raised the bar even higher to protect against the threat of a career-ending injury. The Argentine maestro insured his legendary legs for an astonishing €800 million, vastly surpassing Beckham's record. Meanwhile, the Portuguese forward secured a policy estimated at around €128 million.

For goalkeepers, hands naturally take top priority. Spanish icon Iker Casillas took out a €7 million policy in 2007 to cover against any unforeseen hand injuries. Manuel Neuer followed suit in 2014 after winning the World Cup with Germany. The German shot-stopper's insurance stood at around €3 million, payable only in the event of severe injuries that would prematurely end his professional career.

In motorsport, Fernando Alonso chose a unique route. In 2012, while racing for Ferrari, the two-time Formula 1 world champion insured his thumbs for around €10 million. The move was spearheaded by Ferrari sponsor Santander as part of a promotional campaign for life and accident insurance, with the company highlighting just how vital thumbs are for steering an F1 car.

Among the most extraordinary cases is Keiran Lee, an amateur footballer for Mickleover and an adult film star. He famously had his penis insured for an estimated €939 million as part of a high-profile marketing campaign.

Cricket has also seen its share of unusual policies. Former Australian fast bowler Merv Hughes, a cult hero of the 1980s and 1990s, famously took out an insurance policy to protect his trademark handlebar moustache.

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