Declan Rice suffers severe sunburn at England World Cup training camp
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice has admitted to facing the wrath of his mother after suffering severe sunburn during England’s pre-World Cup training camp in Florida.
The Three Lions star was left looking bright red for his official tournament photographs after misjudging the intense sunshine.
Adjusting to the constant 30-degree heat proved challenging for the central midfielder upon arriving in the United States.
Adapting to the American heat
“When the sun burn comes! I think everyone has seen those photos, I was bright red in that photo shoot,” he explained.
“My mum was killing me!”
The combative player acknowledged that the transition from unpredictable British weather to sweltering conditions was a sharp shock to the system.
However, the physical discomfort did not seem to negatively impact his recent on-pitch performances.
Gearing up for Croatia
The 25-year-old recently completed a planned 60-minute appearance and scored in a comprehensive 3-0 warm-up victory over Costa Rica.
He has now declared himself in peak condition ahead of the upcoming group opener against Croatia.
This national team camp follows an emotionally draining domestic season for the midfield anchor.
He joined the squad after a rollercoaster campaign that included winning the Premier League but suffering defeat in the Champions League final.
Overcoming mental fatigue
Despite being granted an extra week of rest to recover, the English talisman admitted he quickly grew restless at home.
“It was lovely to have a week off, a complete re-set but I was getting itchy feet after four or five days though, to be back with the boys,” he said.
Shifting his mindset from intense club competitions to the international stage is a challenge he is now fully embracing.
The engine-room player noted that the immense demands of the past year have been far more mentally taxing than physically exhausting.
Full focus on the tournament
“It’s hard to think about the World Cup in season because you have so many big games but when you actually get here it’s when it starts to hit you.”
Despite managing several minor injuries throughout his long club campaign, he insists his body feels incredibly strong.
He will undoubtedly be a vital asset for his country as they seek to navigate the challenging tournament ahead.