Rooney in position to become World Cup legend like Pele, Maradona: Gerrard

Rustenburg (South Africa), June 11(ANI): England skipper Steven Gerrard is tipping striker Wayne Rooney to become a World Cup legend like Pele and Maradona.

"Wayne's in a position to make this World Cup his own just like Pele and Maradona did. He is a fantastic age, he is in great shape and he is coming off the back of an unbelievable season, probably his best, so his confidence is sky high," The Sun quoted Gerrard, as saying.

"He is right up there in the category of the very best players in the tournament like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. That gives all of us such confidence," he added.

Gerrard further insists that he is delighted with Rooney being in his team, and said that the entire England team will be right behind him.

"Hopefully he can be our main goalscorer and score the goals that spur us on to victory," he added.

Pele became a global superstar as a 17-year-old, when he scored twice for Brazil in a 5-2 win over Sweden in the 1958 World Cup final, while Maradona inspired Argentina to World Cup glory in Mexico in 1986.

England is pitted against USA, Algeria and Slovenia in Group C, and will play their first game against USA in Rustenburg on Sunday. (ANI)