We caught up with Leighton Baines at the adidas 'Earth Pack' photoshoot to talk about his World Cup memories, his penalty success and preparing for his first World Cup at the age of 29.
SB: What was the first World Cup you can remember and where did you watch it?
Baines: The one in America, 1994, the first thing I can remember about it was their kit, it looked like it was made of denim! I used to watch a lot of football round at my Nan's house with my Grandad. He loved his football, they only lived around the corner so I'd spend a lot of time with him watching the games.
SB: You've had to wait your time for a chance with England, you're 29 now, did you start to think the chance of playing at a World Cup had gone?
Baines: Yeah, I think naturally when you're older you think that. They don't come around too often in a player's career, but it's not something a spend a whole lot of time thinking about.
SB: Do you feel as if you should have been involved in previous World Cups?
Baines: Not really, no. I was involved in the 30 man squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa but even with that I only got involved with England about four months earlier in that year, I'd not been around long, I was a bit of a late bloomer, I didn't end up making it but I've never felt that I should have been in the squad.
SB: There are a lot of internationals in the Everton changing rooms, much World Cup banter flying around?
Baines: We've got Bryan Oviedo from Costa Rica who had that unfortunate injury so we're just all hoping and praying for him that he'll be back to be involved. Prior to his injury we were having a bit of a joke about the game as they're in our group, but we're both looking forward to the game.
SB: Which of your Everton team mates are you tipping to star at the World Cup?
Baines: I don't want to put pressure on Ross! (Barkley) Belgium are a good young team and we've got Romelu (Lukaku) and Kevin (Mirallas) who are both having good seasons for us and I can see them going on and doing well at the World Cup.
SB: England's penalty record is pretty poor, yours however is impressive. Is it something you spend a lot of time practising?
Baines: Not really, it's more like if there are a few balls lying around after training I'll take a couple but I don't like to take say 10 or 15, I'd rather take a few and make sure they're good ones rather than taking too many, if you take too many you start to get sloppy.
SB: You went to Euro 2012 but didn't feature, how was that experience?
Baines: It was good to be around and be involved, you want to get on the pitch as well and play a part but it was a good experience. There was a few of us who went and didn't get on the pitch but I think everyone took something from it.
SB: What's tournament life like around the England Camp? How do you keep busy between games and training?
Baines: You just spend time in the hotel pretty much, they'll be a couple of rooms set up for games and where the lads can mix and stay out of your room, socialise a bit. We try and keep the mood quite light in between games and just watch the other games that are going on.
SB: The big one. Can we win the World Cup?
Baines: In a competition like this of course, you see it in cup competitions here, the FA Cup this year being a good example. Teams are in the latter stages who you wouldn’t expect to be, it's all about form, we've got players in the team on good form, neutral venue, one off games, we've got a good chance.
Leighton Baines wears the adidas Predator LZ. Fancy him as England's first choice left back this summer? Let us know. Drop us a line in the comments.
