WAYNE ROONEY
Say Hello To My Leather Friend
Wayne Rooney is England’s youngest ever goal scorer, cost Manchester United £30m when he was just 18-years-old and already has the paparazzi in a froth over his forthcoming summer wedding to shopaholic fiancée Coleen.
But what turns a down-to-earth Everton-supporting lad from Croxteth into a footballing and tabloid phenomenon? Here we chat to the Manchester United and England striker to find out exactly what makes him tick…
by Chris Hatherall
Q: When did you first start playing football?
A: When I was really young. I used to play football on the street a lot. Every day I would have a ball with me – before I went to school, at school and after school until my mum shouted for me to come in for my tea or it got too dark to play.
Q: Where did you play?
A: I was quite lucky because I had a little five-a-side Tarmac pitch in the back of my house. So I used to climb over the fence and play in there with my mates or on my own. I used to play for hours.
Q: You’re a big hero to so many fans, but who was your idol when you were a boy?
A: For me it was Paul Gascoigne. I used to love watching him play and I would try and do some of the things he did. Definitely him and also Mike Tyson, because I love boxing, too.
Q: What’s your favourite ground?
A: My favourite ground is probably Old Trafford. I love playing there. When I went there with Everton it was always the ground you look forward to playing at the most. Now I’m at United I’m lucky enough to play there all the time.
Q: Talking of United, how do you think the title race is going to finish up this year?
A: It will be close. United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool are all looking strong and I’m sure towards the end of the season we’ll all be there or thereabouts, fighting for the top spot.
Q: What’s your favourite possession?
A: I’ve got two boxing gloves off Mike Tyson. It’s something that I love. He was a big hero of mine when I was growing up. I just love looking at them in my house.
Q: How does it feel to score a goal?
A: It’s brilliant, you can’t describe it. Amazing. You see the crowd jumping and screaming and it’s an unbelievable feeling. Any goal is great, from when I was young in the playground to now.
Q: What has been your best game for England so far?
A: I think my best memory was my first game. For me to be so young – only 17 – and to play for my country was a great honour and something I was really proud of. Every game is special for your country but that first game was a dream come true.
Q: Can England qualify for the World Cup after missing out on Euro 2008?
A: I think we’ve definitely got the quality to qualify for the next World Cup. It was a big disappointment not qualifying for the Euros but now we’ve got to look forward and look to get to the World Cup.
Q: What are your thoughts about that failure to qualify for the European Championship?
A: We were all bitterly disappointed not to be at Euro 2008. It’s a nightmare to be honest. But we’re obviously trying to put that right. We can’t look back – we just have to look forward. A country like ours can’t go two major tournaments without qualifying. We have to make sure that we do everything right and everything properly for World Cup qualification.
Q: How far are you away from reaching your full potential?
A: I keep learning every day and I keep practicing. I practice at the end of the training sessions every day. I know over the next 10 years I can only get better. I don’t think there will be a point where I say I’m the best I can ever be.
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