Jump directly to the content
Revealed
bride & gloom

Jermain Defoe and Wayne Rooney were so bored at 2010 World Cup they watched Wazza’s wedding DVD

Bournemouth striker admits lack of things to do in South Africa left the pair reliving Manchester United legend's marriage to Coleen from start to finish

Sponsored by

JERMAIN DEFOE and Wayne Rooney got so bored at the 2010 World Cup that they watched Wazza's entire wedding video to pass the time.

Defoe and Rooney were part of Fabio Capello's squad who were locked away from the outside world in South Africa eight years ago.

Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe were more than just striking partners - they shared an evening watching the ex-England captain's wedding video
7
Wayne Rooney and Jermain Defoe were more than just striking partners - they shared an evening watching the ex-England captain's wedding videoCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Defoe joined Rooney for a night watching his wedding to Coleen while they were at the World Cup
7
Defoe joined Rooney for a night watching his wedding to Coleen while they were at the World CupCredit: OK Magazine

The players had to make their own entertainment at their isolated Rustenberg hotel and soon grew so tired of computer games and snooker they resorted to drastic measures.

Defoe told : "When we were in South Africa, I remember one night I was bored, so me and Wayne Rooney sat in his room and watched his whole wedding on DVD.

"It was nice to spend quality time with a team-mate.

"Wayne had something like a flash mob - the waiters were singing, dancing - if I can remember.

Fabio Capello imposed a strict regime on his England players and locked them away in a hotel in Rustenberg
7
Fabio Capello imposed a strict regime on his England players and locked them away in a hotel in RustenbergCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
The England players were left trying to find things to do to pass the time, forcing them to take drastic measures
7
The England players were left trying to find things to do to pass the time, forcing them to take drastic measuresCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
Rooney's wedding to Coleen in 2010 was one of the biggest celebrity events of the year
7
Rooney's wedding to Coleen in 2010 was one of the biggest celebrity events of the yearCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

"It was good because he was my strike partner. Yeah, you do get bored but all the teams get bored.

"It's part and parcel. You can't make excuses - it's a dream, you're at a World Cup.


THREE-WAYNE SPLIT BBC, ITV and Coleen in tug-of-war for ex-England skipper Wayne Rooney


"They'll play PlayStation, I imagine Gareth will put on quiz nights - you've got to do things."

Defoe, 34, says he still retains hope of being named in Gareth Southgate's squad for Russia 2018 having received a letter from the FA telling him to keep his summer clear.

But he admits his lack of regular starts with Bournemouth could ultimately prove costly when it comes to making the cut later this month.

He added: "I got a letter. All the players that are in contention get a letter to tell you the schedule for the summer.

"I don't feel like I have anything to prove. I'm quite relaxed about it to be honest.

England squad joined by Jermain Defoe as they train for Germany friendly

"The manager knows what I'm about and, if I'm called on, I'm ready to go to another tournament.

"I feel like if I'd played more games, we'd be sitting here and it'd be a different conversation.

"Throughout my career whenever I've played and got rhythm, that's when I get my goals. And I've proved it.

Jermain Defoe struck up a good friendship with Wayne Rooney during the World Cup in South Africa
7
Jermain Defoe struck up a good friendship with Wayne Rooney during the World Cup in South AfricaCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
England were left isolated from the outside world during the stay in Rustenburg
7
England were left isolated from the outside world during the stay in RustenbergCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

"Against Lithuania at Wembley, I had about four touches and scored. Did anyone see that coming? No.

"I wasn't meant to be back in the squad at 34.

"I've never really thought about retiring from international football because I still feel sharp, I still feel in my heart I can score goals at that level."

Topics