WAYNE Rooney caught a tantalising glimpse of every footballer's dream, but refused to tempt fate by laying his hands on the World Cup.
England's golden boy, who was star guest when the FIFA World Cup tour arrived in London yesterday, wouldn't touch the famous trophy for fear of jinxing the side's chances in Germany this summer.
He said: "For me it's the biggest trophy in the world and in the summer I hope to be holding it up. If you win the trophy obviously you should be allowed to pick it up, otherwise just leave it alone.
"Some of the greatest footballers ever have lifted this trophy, so it was an awesome feeling to get up close to it. The boys will do everything they can to make sure we see it back here later on this summer."
The Manchester United striker said that, with two and a half months to go to the tournament, the excitement was mounting for the players as well as the fans as England bid to regain a prize they have only won once, at Wembley in 1966.
"I think we have a good chance. We have a lot of experienced players and a lot of young players as well," he added.
"Over the last year we've been playing well and hopefully we can take that into the World Cup finals and come back as winners.
"We have a lot of good players in the squad and I think we'll be disappointed if we don't come back with the World Cup.
"I'm excited. It's building up and obviously there is a lot of pressure on us all going to the World Cup."
Memories
Rooney, who is still only 20, said that his first real memories of the World Cup were the 1998 tournament in France.
He explained: "I was about 12 and was sitting at my nan's watching England and Argentina and I saw Michael Owen, who was only 18 at the time.
"It was disappointing they went out on penalties, that's the worst way you can lose a football match, but later I went out playing football with my mates and pretended to be him.
"Although I wanted to become a professional footballer, I didn't think at the time I'd be playing with him for England."
Now Rooney is hoping to partner a fully-fit Owen, who is currently recovering from a fractured foot and looking forward to his return to action with Newcastle, at this summer's finals. He continued: "If you look at Michael's record he's a proven goalscorer and every team needs one.
"If he isn't fully fit it will be a big disappointment for us all, but if he is fully fit it's going to be a big boost for us."
The young United sensation, meanwhile, also admitted it took him some time to come to terms with the fame game but that it no longer bothers him being continually in the public spotlight.
He said: "I don't tend to think too much about it.
"I think of myself as a football player and try to be as normal as I can.
"There are a lot of benefits from being a professional footballer and there are a lot of downsides as well but you just have to deal with it.
"There are always people wanting autographs and photographs, wherever you go, but I can enjoy that now."
Do England have a serious chance of winning the World Cup? Have your say.
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this is the best england squad for many years - with a real chance of winning - except they don't play as a team and sven has no motivational or tactical skills. we're also a bit light up front - if rooney got injured we'll be stuck with the embarressing crouch.
i suggest beattie would be better than crouch?
Yes, but if Beckham is not playing well he must be dropped. One other point Lampard and Gerrard can't play in the same team for some reason. One has to be sacrificed for a better balance. Any other thoughts ?
Lampard and Gerrard can't play together, I think because they're such good players they are trying too hard to do both aspects of the midfield game, attack and defence. I'd play Lampard and Carrick with Gerrard on the bench. Gerrard coming off the bench would have a much bigger immediate impact than Lampard, due to his driving ability to change the course of a game.
Andy, Macc. Agree that england look better balanced with carrick in but i would put gerrard in above lampard every day of the week. lampard is a great goal scoring midfielder like platt but he isn't a great midfielder for me as his passing and vision is really not that good, gerrard on the other hand has everything you want in a midfielder, fantastic vision, great long and short passer and plenty of drive plus he scores goals.
yes i do think england stand a good chance of winning the world cup. It will shut my dad up then who doesn't support them. My dad is english but he says the team is naff.But if englands number one man (ROONEY) stays fit and doesnt play to many more matches now before the eworld cup we got a very good chance. And also i think england have an even more better chance of wining as it will be Beckhams last world cup chance so COME ON ENGLAND!!!!!!!
This is not about United and I just hope he stays clear of injuries.
Thus all that Rooney seems to be dreaming about these days, winning world cup he forgets that there still second spot to chase or still Chelsea even though the chances might be slim.
Why is it that Every year England will be the favourites but they will never reach even the semi final stage.Keep on dreaming Rooney,Its not uneasy road as you might think.
England has today the best team but it will be difficult to them and to anyboy to be total favourites; I never liked to play against England even tough Portugal have won the last encounters.
Hope we dont have to face you until the final....................
WE ALL MUST KEEP ON DREAMING
England's squad this year is worthy of a Semi-Final. Its young & strong. Besides Lampard, Gerrard issue, I think the focus should be with the attack and defence. What if Owen is injured again? Crouch? Cmon...he misses so many sitters before getting a goal. Not a natural goalscorer. Wrong to put him in the biggest stage.
Defence, Ferdinand and Terry combination in central should be solid. The keeper department is worrying. Ever since Shilton, England did not have a keeper you can truly say, "trustworthy". Having a great defence begins with a great keeper.
So Rooney's close to a World Cup medal, huh. About 10 games I think. and in a parrellel universe. Who is really of the opinion that we have a team of world beaters?