The Guardian report on a sponsored World Cup promotion yesterday:
The World Cup tour has prompted more than 100,000 people to turn out in Rio de Janeiro to see the trophy, but in Thailand the trophy was dropped, leaving the green marble base slightly chipped.
As a result heavy security accompanied yesterday's event, though there was little need as members of the public - and press - posed for photos with Rooney and the trophy.
Earlier the Manchester United player had proved as direct under questioning as he is on the pitch. The BBC presenter Ray Stubbs wanted to know the reason for his improved fitness since he moved to Old Trafford. "Are you into nutrition and weights and the whole science of fitness?" he asked. "No, we just do more running," said Rooney. "I've never touched a weight in my life -I'm paid to play football, not be a weightlifter."
He talks here about the World Cup:
"It's bigger than I thought it was," he said of the trophy.
"It's the biggest tournament in the world and hopefully I'll pick it up then. Then is the time to pick it up. Only the winners should touch it, everybody else should just leave it alone.
"I'm getting excited with the build-up and I think we have a good enough squad and to be honest we'll be disappointed if we don't bring it back.
His first World Cup memory?
"I was 12 and watching the England-Argentina game at my nan's. It was disappointing that we went out on penalties but after the game I went out into the street and pretended to be Michael Owen.
"At the age of 12 I was just a young lad but I wanted to become a professional football but I didn't think it would come too soon."
About being in the public eye:
"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."