Source: Daily_Mail
WORLD CUP 2010: The true size of the cross England star Wayne Rooney has to bear
For a player with £35million in the bank, Wayne Rooney's choice of good luck charm seems incongruous to say the least. And not very expensive.[LNB]The 24-year-old England striker took to the training field in Rustenburg today sporting a huge crucifix and chunky chain, looking for all the world he was about to absolve his team-mates from sin having converted from superstar to the priest he once revealed he would have become without football.[LNB] In a chain gang...Wayne Rooney is flanked by Peter Crouch (left) and Frank Lampard[LNB] I could have been a priest, me: Wayne Rooney shows his Catholic roots[LNB]The origin of the crucifix, its purpose and what it's made of are unknown but it certainly catches the eye - and it's not the first time the Manchester United forward has courted controversy with religious imagery.[LNB]Four years ago he spearheaded a Nike advert with an England flag painted on his chest, infuriating church leaders and MPs alike with its biblical overtones.[LNB]Catholic lad Rooney also had a crucifix tattoo with his wife's name Coleen above it done five years ago and admitted last year he would probably have entered the church if he had been a good footballer 'because I always enjoyed religious education.'[LNB] Controversial: Wayne Rooney in the 2006 Nike ad that infuriated the Church and MPs[LNB] Trend setter: Cristiano Ronaldo had custody of the crucifix last year while on holiday in Sardinia before Rooney wrestled it back[LNB]Whether Rooney had an uplifting experience on the road to Rustenburg may remain a mystery forever - or maybe he just borrowed it from former Old Trafford colleague Cristiano Ronaldo.[LNB]The oft-diving Portugal and Real Madrid maestro was spotted sporting one of the ornate but cheap-looking rosary beads crucifix on holiday last year - but showing no signs of repenting for THAT wink, getting Rooney sent off in the World Cup quarter-final in 2006 and making our man cross on a grand scale.[LNB]And now he's cross on a grand scale yet again.[LNB] Fabio's flops called in for extra training after struggling against South African minnowsThe Real Rooney: I know I will have to win a World Cup for England to join the true greatsGRAHAM POLL: England's ref will have red at the ready for ranting RooneyEngland 3 Platinum Stars 0: Fabio cracks his whip after tame offeringRaging bulls! Capello loses cool and Rooney loses plot in final warm-up winSPORTSMAIL'S WORLD CUP PODCASTSSPORTSMAIL'S WORLD CUP CHANNEL[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]
