LONDON - Two unrelated events in the last year have had a huge impact on Wayne Rooney's life.

The departure of Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United at the end of past season changed Rooney's role on the pitch and the arrival of baby son, Kai, in November changed his life off it.

He has been in superb form ahead of the World Cup and will vie with Ronaldo of Portugal, as well as Lionel Messi of Argentina, Fernando Torres of Spain and Brazil's Kaka to be the leading light of the tournament and bring home the trophy.