A Prayer for Wayne Rooney

All those football fans who don’t want to witness another anodyne World Cup with Brazil just turning up to reclaim what is already with them – the golden trophy – I would urge them to send in their prayers for Wayne Rooney.
Because if there’s any force at all that can halt the Samba magic at all, its the 20 year old powerhouse. He might not be big enough to drink as yet, but he already puts fear into the mind of the world’s best defenders. Add to this a muscular figure, robust physique and an extraordinary passion for the game and you’d believe injury would be the last thing to happen to Rooney.
If the 3-0 drubbing of Manchester United at the hands of Chelsea was not enough for disappointment, we have a possibility where the world’s best young player might not play in the game’s showpiece tournament after all.
I love Brazilian football, am a big fan of Ronaldinho and would be as happy as last time if they win it again. Yet I want to see them win it against the best competition, and that won’t be possible if Rooney doesn’t play.
England are not even half the side they are without Rooney. He brings flair, creativity and passion to a team somewhat regimental in their playing techniques and these qualities offer England the only hope of posing any challenge in Germany. Steven Gerrard has already said it would be ‘impossible’ to have a successful World Cup without the Manchester United striker.
Rooney was in tears after learning that he might not be able to take part in Germany. It is a personal tragedy for the boy whose childhood dream has always been to play in a World Cup. The bigger tragedy is for the game.
Let’s just hope he is on that plane to Germany. It could make a more engrossing World Cup.