Wayne Rooney hopes to finally make impact at World Cup

LISBON, Portugal – England striker Wayne Rooney said Thursday there would be no excuses if he failed to deliver for his country at the 2014 World Cup.

Rooney broke through on the international stage at the 2004 European championships as an 18-year-old where his performances earned him a place in the team of the tournament but his subsequent displays at major competitions have been undermined by injuries.

The Manchester United forward was rushed back from a metatarsal injury in time for the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where he was sent off in England’s quarter-final loss to Portugal, while his preparations for the tournament in South Africa were hampered by an ankle problem.

However, the 28-year-old insists he has fully recovered from a groin injury that caused him to miss the final three games of the Premier League season.

“I have no issues whatsoever and I am ready for this tournament,” Rooney told British media at England’s pre-World Cup training camp in the Algarve.

“I am going to give everything and leave everything on the pitch.

“I’ve been here before and I’ve said what I feel I can deliver and what I can do and it hasn’t happened.

“I think this is the one where I have to show what I can do. I believe I am in the best possible shape and the best condition I can be in to do that.”

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Rooney, who has yet to score at a World Cup, believes the finals in Brazil represent his best chance to belatedly leave his mark on the world stage.

“For me personally, I feel the World Cup in 2018, I’ll be a bit older then so it will obviously be difficult to impact that the way I believe I can do.

“So, I feel this is the really last big one that I feel will probably get the best out of me. I feel ready, fresh and as good as I can do to go into this tournament.

“I am ready for it. I am excited for it. There will be no excuses this time if I don’t perform. I certainly won’t be looking for any excuses this time,” said the Manchester United frontman.

Rooney and his teammates will start their World Cup campaign against Italy on June 14 before further Group D clashes with Uruguay and Costa Rica.

The striker believes the blend of youth and experience in Roy Hodgson’s side will serve England well in Brazil.

“I believe we can go far. I believe we’ve got the players and our aim is to win the tournament.

“We don’t want to be going there saying we would be happy getting to a quarter-final or even a semi-final.

“Our aim is to win the tournament and that’s what we are preparing. That is what we hope is going to happen.” – Rappler.com