Captain Rio rallies England troops

[CDev]

England departed for South Africa on Wednesday as captain Rio Ferdinand revealed a simple formula for winning this summer's World Cup.

Fabio Capello's squad have had to cope with discussion surrounding the fitness of Gareth Barry, the omission of Theo Walcott and Darren Bent from a 23-man squad and the renegotiation of Capello's contract.

But Ferdinand, looking ahead to the tournament, cut straight to the chase.

"I want to just beat every team we play against, get to the final and hopefully win it," he said. "I don't care who we beat on the way.

"There's no fear. The World Cup comes around every four years, I've been to three tournaments before this one and I've enjoyed every minute.

"It's just great to go out there knowing that you're one of the best players in your country, playing alongside the best players in the world, that's an achievement in itself."

It will be the first time Ferdinand has led his country at an international showpiece, and he admits last week's friendly against Mexico was the first time he felt justified in calling himself England captain.

The Manchester United defender was handed the job as John Terry's successor in February after his Chelsea counterpart was embroiled in allegations over his private life.

But a persistent back injury meant Ferdinand missed March's 3-1 friendly win over Egypt at Wembley, meaning Mexico's visit to the national stadium - when England triumphed by the same margin - was the first time he had led the team out since his elevation.

"I didn't really get to enjoy it because I wasn't fit, I wasn't playing," he said at a sponsor's event in London today.

"I missed the Egypt game, so I wasn't able to go out there and really enjoy it.

"It was only really Mexico the other day. People were saying I was captain for two months and I hadn't even worn the armband so it was hard to take the accolades until I'd actually done it."

He played down the impact on him, though, while likening Capello to his club boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

"The manager's open, he'll take in what you say but not necessarily take it on board and use it," Ferdinand said. "He's his own man and works the way he does - likewise the gaffer at United.

"Being captain won't change a lot in terms of the way I carry myself around the hotel or the way I am on the pitch.

"If something needs to be said, I'll want to say something in the changing rooms to anybody. If I think somebody needs to be told something I've always done that anyway, so being captain isn't going to change me, it's just part and parcel of who I am.

"It's a responsibility that I've done for my club and it's an honour, it will be a proud moment when I lead the team out at a World Cup."