The Manchester United forward did not have his greatest season, but he appears to be fully focused on helping England to do well in Brazil. After starting his World Cup preparations earlier than his teammates, Wayne Rooney is not only looking for his first goal on the big stage, but he is more concerned with the collective results.
In one of his press-conferences where he was asked about England’s first match, Rooney also took the time to explain how him and Cristiano Ronaldo are different.
“I’m not a player who needs a legacy - like Cristiano, he has to have that,” Rooney told reporters. “I’m more about winning as a team. He wants to have his moments. I’ve won player of the year, it’s nowhere near as good as winning a trophy with United.”
Unfortunately for Rooney, the only taste of silverware he had this season was the Community Shield. Despite his struggles at the club level, his confidence in his abilities and his teaWayne Rooney claims he’s all about collective results, opposed to former teammatemmates has some English journalists and analysts really looking forward to the Three Lions’ opening match in Manaus.
They will be up against an Italian side that has also had their own struggles recently, but you can never count out the Azzurri.
“If I’m being honest, when you play a high tempo they have struggled,” Rooney said about Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini.
Adding to his list of things he is not too concerned about, Rooney also stated that although Pirlo is a fantastic player, he believes that England have the proper weapons to keep him at bay.
“He has been a fantastic player and Italy have some great players, but so have we.”
“They should be more worried about our team. It is exciting and the young players bring a lot of energy and excitement. You can see with Ross Barkley and Raheem Sterling that there’s no fear with them. They’ll be good players, big players for us.”
In a group that will be very tough for all four countries, Rooney will now have to back his statements with solid performances.
