With three months to go exactly until England’s first game in the World Cup, Wayne Rooney is carrying the nation’s hopes. While his team mates are making headlines for the wrong reasons, Wayne Rooney has emerged as a star player, unofficial leader and a role model. He has spoken to Sky News’ Jacquie Beltrao in London at the World Cup Trophy Tour.

Wayne Rooney on the World Cup trophy - 

Jacquie Beltrao – So Wayne, here you are on the Coca Cola World Cup World Tour, did it make you feel uncomfortable at all to be that close to the World Cup?

Wayne Rooney – A little bit, but it was nice as well, to see the World Cup up close was a good feeling, and you see when it got unveiled that all the people out there were excited as well so it was nice.

JB – But I know what you lot are like, you are very superstitious, did you touch it?

WR – No I didn’t touch it, I don’t think it is right to touch it unless you have won it, so…
 
Wayne Rooney on Pressure –

JB – Do you feel any pressure going into this World Cup because you are kind of the special one in the team, people pinning their hopes on you, a lot depends on you keeping your form and staying injury free.  Do you feel under particular pressure or more pressure maybe than others?

WR – No to be honest I don’t, I think I have had pressure since I started playing for Everton at 16 and then obviously for England at 17.  I have managed to deal with that pressure, find a way that I feel comfortable to deal with it and it doesn’t really affect my game, I don’t think I have any problems with that.

Wayne Rooney on England Captaincy –

JB –A lot of fans, a lot of our viewers think you should be England Captain, what do you think of that?

WR – Obviously I am a passionate player, I think I have always been that since I started playing professional at 16 and you know the managers obviously chose the captain and we respect that.

JB – But do you think one day that is something you aspire to –

WR – Yeah, I hope so.  I think I have got qualities to be England captain so I hope one day that I will be able to do that.

Wayne Rooney on becoming a dad –

JB – Manager, Fabio Capello, has said that you guys have got to be absolutely perfect, behaviour wise until the World Cup starts, you can’t step out of line.  I am assuming that as a new dad that your life is probably now quite dull.

WR – Not quiet dull no, it’s exciting obviously for me and my wife, it’s exciting times.  We are pleased we have settled down and the baby is doing well so we are in a good moment.

JB – What I was getting at really is that, apart from playing football, do you get to do anything else?

WR – Yeah, of course, you know, we go to restaurants, have food, I go to concerts, so yes, I am enjoying my life.

JB – To see the Stereophonics?

WR – Yeah, of course.

JB – Do you change many nappies?

WR – A few, if me and Coleen are both there then she’ll tend to do it but obviously if I am stuck alone then I’ll do it.

Wayne Rooney on being a role model -

JB – Has it inspired you, becoming a dad because you have played inspired football since becoming a dad?

WR – Yes, I think obviously it is a great moment in my life and you know, I am enjoying it.  I am settled and obviously becoming a father you have to be more of a role model for your own children and for other children as well.

Wayne Rooney on being away from his family during the World Cup-

JB – No Wags this time at the World Cup and that means no baby either.  Does that bother you or will you be too focused on the job in hand?

WR – No, of course it is going to be six or seven weeks without seeing my wife or my son so obviously it will be hard at times but we are there to do a job and that is play football so we will have a lot of time to spend with them after the World Cup.

JB – If you get further on to the semis or something, will they come out then maybe?

WR – Yeah, I think maybe, if we get to the semi-finals, then maybe they will come out than but we will have to see.

Wayne Rooney on David Beckham -

JB – And last night what an amazing night for you, what an amazing night for United.  Papers today are saying you are the new king of Old Trafford but David Beckham, although he played a small part also got an amazing reception from the fans and at the end he almost didn’t want to leave.  It was like saying to them I love you still, I am still part of you and they loved him, were you surprised by that?

WR – No, not at all, David Beckham is a fantastic player and his time at United he was very successful with a lot of goals and winning a lot of trophies, so yeah, the reception he got was a great reception and one he fully deserves.