RIO DE JANEIRO: After two forgettable experiences at previous World Cups, England talisman Wayne Rooney has vowed to enjoy himself at the 2014 tournament in Brazil regardless of the outcome.
Having injured himself ahead of his maiden tournament in Germany in 2006, the Manchester United striker was sent off for stamping on Portugal’s Ricardo Carvalho as England went out on penalties in the quarter-finals.
In 2010 he went to South Africa on the back of the most prolific season of his career, but again failed to impress, snarling at a television camera after England’s 0-0 group-stage draw with Algeria and drifting through the 4-1 humiliation by Germany in the last 16 like a ghost.
Four years on he remains without a World Cup goal to his name, but ahead of England’s opening Group D match against Italy in Manaus on Saturday, the 28-year-old is determined to relish the experience.
“I’ve learnt to enjoy this one because I haven’t enjoyed the last ones,” Rooney told a group of journalists at England’s seaside training base in Rio de Janeiro.
“All of a sudden you’re looking back and they’ve gone and I didn’t enjoy it. This one, I’m going to enjoy it regardless of what happens. I’m going to make sure I take positive memories from this one.”
Rooney cites the 2004 European Championship in Portugal, when he burst onto the international scene, as the last tournament where he felt relaxed enough to fully express himself.
In current colleagues such as 20-year-old Ross Barkley and 19-year-old Raheem Sterling, he sees glimpses of his own old fearlessness.
“That’s the good thing about the younger lads in the squad: you can see that in them, in Ross and Raheem,” said the stocky forward, who scored seven goals for England in qualifying.
“You can see that there’s no fear with them. They’ll be good players, big players for us.”
Rooney’s explosion as an 18-year-old at Euro 2004 sparked expectations that he would develop into one of the world’s greatest players, but for all his achievements with United, he continues to face criticism. AFP
