Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo
Josh Lawless
Wayne Rooney's take on the Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo debate won't please his former teammate.
Rooney lined up alongside with Ronaldo at Manchester United and combined in stunning fashion on the pitch during their five years playing together.
They won three Premier League titles together, as well as lifting the Champions League after beating Chelsea in 2008.
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But although Rooney played with Ronaldo, he actually has no problem admitting that Messi is the greatest player ever seen.
Rooney came up against the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner in two Champions League finals, losing both courtesy of Messi's masterclasses.
The former England and United skipper was asked the age-old question on the 'Pardon My Take' podcast in 2018, instantly answering: "Messi".
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He then elaborated, adding: "Yeah, I think I've said this before, but they're both probably the best two players to ever play the game. I just think Messi is, in my eyes, the greatest ever."
Rooney has reiterated that stance on a number of occasions. In March 2012, he took to X, known as Twitter at the time, to write: "Messi is a joke. For me the best ever."
Then, ten years on, after seeing the Barcelona legend's incredible performance against Croatia in the World Cup semi-final, he quoted himself and stressed: "Nothing has changed".
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Rooney has waxed lyrical about Messi in a piece in the Sunday Times, writing that "With Messi you just get the impression he is having more fun" than Ronaldo.
The D.C United boss is now in the same league as Messi, who has an incredible 11 goals in as many games for new club Inter Miami across the pond.
Rooney had warned that Messi wouldn't have things his own way but he has made it look it easy thus far.
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His relationship with Ronaldo doesn't appear to be too strong days given the Portuguese superstar's comments about him in an infamous interview with Piers Morgan.
"I don’t know why he criticises me so badly... probably because he finished his career and I’m still playing at a high level," Ronaldo told Morgan on TalkTV, taking aim at his former teammate.
"I’m not going to say that I’m looking better than him. Which is true..."
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It came after Rooney talked about Ronaldo getting older as he had to make do with a bit-part role under Erik ten Hag.
The 37-year-old offered a mature response, refusing to bite back and simply describing the comments as "strange" and anticipating action from United, which did then happen.
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