Beckham hopes to be role model to Rooney
By By Peter Jenson (www.timesonline.co.uk)
Updated: 2005-09-20 09:24

IT IS a sign of Wayne Rooney’s standing in the world game that the Manchester United forward was voted the young player of the year at the inaugural FIFPro World XI Player Awards in London last night. The honour, voted for by professional footballers across the world, shows the esteem with which Rooney is held by his peers.

However, the 19-year-old’s discipline problems resurfaced last week away to Villarreal when he was sent off by Kim Milton Nielsen. David Beckham received the same treatment from the Danish referee in 1998, in the infamous World Cup quarter-final defeat by Argentina. Beckham believes that Rooney — who argued with the England captain during the 1-0 defeat by Northern Ireland this month — can learn from his experience and grow into a mature player who could follow the Real Madrid player as England captain.

After Real’s defeat by Espanyol on Sunday — their third consecutive loss — Beckham turned his attention to England to reveal that he had spoken to Rooney several times in the past few days as the young forward faced up to another outpouring of condemnation over his behavioural lapses.

“There is no fallout between me and Wayne,” Beckham said. “We have talked a number of times in the last week. The whole thing has been blown out of all proportion. He isn’t just a team-mate of mine in the England side, he is a friend.