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Rooney targets world dominance

10/10/2008

England striker Wayne Rooney has said he wants to emulate his Manchester United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo by being nominated for the world player of the year award.

Portuguese star Ronaldo, 23, is favourite to win the 2008 prize, with Barcelona and Argentina winger Lionel Messi, 21, also among the nominees.

However, Rooney is of a similar age to both men and feels he can continue improving to such an extent that future recognition on the world stage is by no means beyond him.

"It is right people like Cristiano [Ronaldo] and Lionel Messi should be up for these awards [world player of the year] and hopefully I can get there one day," he said.

"If I keep working and keep progressing, I would like to think I could at any rate."

Despite his desire for future individual prizes, however, Rooney stressed it is team achievements that interest him most.

"It is not about me, it is about the team," he added.

"I would rather win a trophy with the team than anything personal. I have always felt like that."