It is corny but it is true. To borrow a line from Tina Turner's bestseller, he's "Simply the best - better than all the rest". Why? He's simply grown up. Wayne Rooney is, without question, the player opponents will fear above all others at the World Cup.

The boy-man who burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old, leaving David Seaman groping at air, nearly eight years ago is now the complete footballer. Every facet of his game has been developed and improved. The raw, aggressive teenager has blossomed into the epitome of a 21st century soccer icon.

Rooney all grown up

Wayne Rooney was born a street fighter. It is no coincidence he's a big fan of boxing and close friends with Britain's former World Light Welterweight Champion Ricky Hatton. The symmetry is clear - two young men born and raised in poor neighbourhoods, both given a talent plus the determination and commitment to succeed at their chosen professions. 

From the off two things were clear about Rooney. He was going to score goals, and he was going to get sent off. The first goal, against Arsenal in October 2002, preceded the first red card by barely two months. On Boxing Day, The Boy Wonder was rightly dismissed for a two-footed lunge against Birmingham. Opponent Steve Vickers required 8 stitches in a badly gashed ankle.

Scoring goals was never a problem for Rooney. Keeping his emotion in check was another matter altogether. His Everton manager, David Moyes, once told me he would never try and coach the aggression out of Rooney's game since, without it, Rooney would not be the same player.

Moyes was true to his word. Rooney remains a hostile opponent but, along the way, he learned a crucial lesson. He now knows how to handle and channel the aggression for the common cause. He'll never be an angel on a soccer field - there's always a suspicion the volcano will erupt - but Rooney is now able to control his temper and walk away from a fight rather than be a protagonist.

The shenanigans which blotted his copybook at the World Cup four years ago are largely a thing of the past. The red card, which helped seal England's fate against Portugal, is forgiven and forgotten - replaced by a maturity missed by some. Anyone who believes Rooney is still a hothead has not watched him in action recently. 

In qualifying for South Africa, Rooney was faultless. He wasn't shown a single card in 9 appearances and scored nine goals along the way. His rehabilitation at club level is also impressive. It is almost a year since referee Phil Dowd brandished a second yellow, and therefore a red at Rooney in the final, frustrating minute of United's shock defeat at Fulham.

Rooney is fortunate his career has been guided by three men for whom discipline is paramount. Moyes knew the teenager was game ready years ahead of his time and could hold him back no longer. Rooney was a full England international at age 17 but Moyes did his best to protect the youngster from the intense media glare.

Move to Man U

When Everton could no longer turn away the millions on offer, Moyes handed Rooney onto a fellow Scot at Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson naturally commands absolute respect from his players and Rooney is no exception to the rigid rule. Nor is he above the law when representing his country. Fabio Capello presented a clear set of rules for his World Cup hopefuls and, partly as a result, England is considered a genuine contender.

Rooney's stamina is a part of his game often overlooked. Few strikers work harder to get back and defend in a League where pace is so important. His recent goal against Arsenal was a classic example of his counter attacking ability - the opportunity to break quickly, deliver an accurate pass and sprint 80 yards to finish with accuracy - all in the blink of any eye.

Rooney's sublime form does not of course mean England will win the World Cup. What if he has peaked too early? If Manchester United goes all the way in the Champions League will there be anything left in the tank by the time he gets to South Africa? There are too many variables to guarantee anything but if there is a better striker in world football right now than Wayne Rooney, I can guarantee one thing. 

I'm watching the wrong channel.