Rice scored against Costa Rica in England’s final public warm-up game, but admitted the heat and weather disruption have already shown what awaits at the World Cup.
Declan Rice has revealed his mother “killed” him after he was photographed badly sunburnt during England’s pre-World Cup photo-shoot.
Rice played in England’s final public warm-up friendly on Wednesday and scored against Costa Rica in the 3-0 win, with people talking more about his sunburn than his performance at Inter&co Stadium.
“I think everyone has seen those photos, I was bright red in that photoshoot,” he said. “My mum was killing me!
“Honestly, the first day we came, it was just getting used to that heat. Coming from England where it’s hot-cold, all different types of weather, coming here and it’s always 30 degrees – it really does hit you in the face.
“We got into the rooms at the hotel and it was bright sunshine, you take a nap and you’re like, ‘What’s going on here?’” Rice added.
“The manager said that’s what you’re going to face at this tournament because they had it at the Club World Cup, where it’s stop-start. Even in a game, you could be playing 60-65 minutes and the next thing, thunder and lightning strikes and you have to come off.
“So, you have to adapt to everything and the manager has made us fully aware of that. It was only an hour’s difference [delay ahead of the game] today, so it wasn’t too much, but it was good to get a taste of it, potentially for what’s to come and how to deal with it, and we’re adapting to everything.”
Rice also admitted the strain of his epic season has been more psychological than physical, with the World Cup now coming straight after the emotional demands of club football that saw him win the Premier League and lose the Champions League final.
“I feel good as gold,” he said. “Feel really fit, feel really strong.
“Had a couple of niggles throughout the season which I managed really well with the physios and the manager, so I’ve come here in a really good place.
“I feel really confident. I think winning that Premier League for me, I have come here with a sense of confidence and a spring in my step.
“Now I have got over that line with Arsenal, it has given me that confidence that we can come here and achieve big things as well.
“I’m really in a good place at the moment.
“I think the season has been more mentally tough than physically,” he added. “Even though I have played so many games, the emotions you go through on a football pitch is ridiculous.
“Trying to win the Premier League, and then to lose the [Champions League] final. You’re up and down constantly, trying to adapt. And then full focus turns to the World Cup.
“It’s hard to think about the World Cup in a season because you have so many big games, but when you actually get here it starts to hit you.”
“So I’m happy I didn’t think about it too much ahead, and obviously now I have come here with a fresh mind, ready to go.”
In other Arsenal and England news, Ethan Nwaneri played in a behind-closed-doors friendly as the Three Lions finished their preparations against Miami FC, finding the back of the net in a 6-0 win.
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