Rooney, who is preparing for his third finals tournament, has still to find the net in his previous two appearances at the international showpiece – but Alan Shearer and Sir Bobby Charlton believe that run will come to an end in Brazil.
Charlton is England’s all-time record goalscorer with 49 goals - 11 ahead of Rooney. But the Three Lions legend and World Cup winner believes the Manchester United striker is the man to overtake him – starting in South America.
Shearer backs Rooney to shine
Charlton said: “I tell him, ‘If anybody is going to beat my record for the number of goals scored, it had better be you, so don’t let me down’, and he said 'OK'.
“He has a quality that is made for a World Cup.”
Rooney will have a chance to get back on the goal trail on Wednesday evening against Ecuador after Roy Hodgson confirmed that he will be starting at the Sun Life Stadium –and this could be the vote of confidence that the marksmen needs according to Alan Shearer.
The former Newcastle United forward, who scored 30 goals for his country and won the golden boot at Euro 96, said: “Three weeks before Euro 96, Terry [Venables] said to me, 'Whatever happens between now and the first game you’re going to start'. That gave me great confidence.
“I think Roy Hodgson will say the same to Rooney. I finished the tournament as top scorer and Wayne can do the same.”
He added: “I don’t think Wayne Rooney will want it on his record that he’s been to three World Cups and not scored in any.
“He should start against Italy [in the first group game on 14 June] but then it’s whether he performs or not because we have other players now who can produce moments of magic.
“[Daniel] Sturridge can score as he showed the other night. The pressure is on Rooney like there is on any other player. He’s one of the biggest names in the world so everyone wants to talk about him.”
