Alan Shearer could match Rooney's shooting power, but didn't have his dribbling skills. Gary Lineker was more a close-range scoring player without the ability to create chances for himself.

While Rooney has the ability to become a superstar, he doesn't have the good looks of David Beckham and is far from articulate.

Although he already has an autobiography _ "Wayne Rooney: My Story so Far" _ Rooney lacks a good education and it is evident in the few interviews he gives. He is clearly not at ease with the media, so answers are short. He's also sometimes difficult to understand because of his strong Liverpool accent.

He also has a short fuse.

Only weeks after becoming the Premier League's youngest-ever scorer, he set another mark as the most junior to be ejected.

In September 2005, when Rooney was called for a series of fouls in England's 1-0 loss to Northern Ireland in Belfast, Beckham tried to calm him down, but the striker responded with a series of profanities.

A week later, in a Champions League game for Manchester United against Villarreal, he sarcastically applauded referee Kim Milton Nielsen for a yellow card and the Danish official pulled out the red.

Rooney admits it's a side to his character he's trying to tame. But Rooney needs a fiery edge to maintain his drive.

This World Cup will show whether he's succeeding.