World Cup 2014: Wayne Rooney gives the thumbs up for the official 'Brazuca' ball after controversy of the 2010 'Jabulani'

Rooney reports that he has not had any issues with this year's ball

Simon Peach
Thursday 22 May 2014 15:05 BST
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Brazuca match balls for the FIFA World Cup 2014 lie in a rack in front of the adidas logo
Brazuca match balls for the FIFA World Cup 2014 lie in a rack in front of the adidas logo (GETTY IMAGES)

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Wayne Rooney is relieved to report that the ball for this World Cup is much better than the troublesome Jabulani of four years ago.

The ball made almost as many headlines as the matches in South Africa, where players complained en masse about the Adidas creation for its unpredictable nature.

Fortunately, though, it looks like the focus can be on the football itself in Brazil, with Rooney giving the the Brazuca, this year's official ball, the thumbs up after using it at England's Portugal training camp this week.

"That ball was really difficult," Rooney said of the Jabulani.

"It really did take a long time to get used to it because there would be times when the ball was coming into the box for a header, you jump to try and time it and it would just swerve off.

"This one, I haven't seen any of that happening this time."

PA

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