Wayne Rooney out to make World Cup a memorable one

Wayne Rooney says he is determined to enjoy Brazil this summer and he is desperate to help fire England to success.

The Three Lions striker is about to embark on his third World Cup after two previous attempts that ended in penalty shootout heartbreak - and he's still searching for his first Finals goal.

Roy Hodgson's men meet Italy for their opening Group D clash in Manaus on Saturday and Rooney insists he is ready to make it a memorable tournament.

"I think [in the past] I probably put myself under too much pressure. Maybe it is the media putting me under pressure and I have tried to respond to it, whereas this time I haven’t," said Rooney.

"I am going to enjoy it. I have really enjoyed it up to now with the preparations, I am excited for this tournament and I am enjoying working with the younger lads and the experienced lads. 

"Honestly I feel great. I feel better than I have done for years and I am ready for this tournament. I know that if I can play my game then I can do well."

He continued: "I think I have just had time to prepare with the team. I have gone into tournaments with little niggles or some different things. But here I haven’t missed a session, I feel great and I am just really excited for Saturday.

"I have learnt to enjoy this one because I haven’t enjoyed the last ones and it hasn’t gone well. And all of a sudden you are looking back and they have gone so I didn’t enjoy them. 

"This one I am going to enjoy regardless of what happens and I am going to make good memories from this one."

Rooney netted in England's 2-2 draw with Ecuador in Miami last week, tucking away from close range, and his celebrations demonstrated just how much his country means to him.

Having bagged seven goals during the qualifying campaign, it was his first since the win over Poland in October. 

And, after sitting out the end of Manchester United's season with injury, he was delighted to get back to scoring ways.

"I missed the end of the season and this is a big tournament for me and I want to do well," said the 28-year-old. 

"I was just delighted to score. If you look at my record in terms of qualifying, I had a pretty good record. It hadn’t gone so well in the friendlies but when it counts is in the qualifiers, that is what I have to do in this tournament."

That close-range strike at Sun Life Stadium chalked up his 39th in 92 appearances for England, one behind Michael Owen's tally. 

But it is record goalscorer Bobby Charlton – on 49 – who is now in the former Everton forward's sights. 

"Obviously I am not going to sit here and say I shouldn’t get it. At my age I should break that record so I just want to keep playing and keep trying to score. 

"If I can get Sir Bobby’s record then it will be a massive achievement and something I will be delighted to do."

He added: "I want to do well and I want to score. I want to score goals and help England be successful and I know that if I have a good tournament and play well then the team will play well."