Wayne Rooney Speaks Out on 'Hating' Cristiano Ronaldo as Lionel Messi Claim Made

Wayne Rooney has spoken out on rumours that he 'hates' former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.

During their time together playing for Sir Alex Ferguson at United, Rooney and Ronaldo were close friends and a formidable pairing on the pitch.

However, in recent years, the relationship between the pair appears to have broken down somewhat.

Back in 2022, during his explosive interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo was asked: "More pounds in the bank or more Instagram followers?"

To which he replied: "That’s a good question! Probably similar!"

Morgan then said: "I’m just trying to work out how Wayne Rooney could hate you even more!"

Ronaldo then said: "Not only him, imagine the rest of the rats they are going to criticise me too, but it is good to still be the number one."

However, speaking recently to former United teammate Rio Ferdinand, Rooney stated that he 'absolutely loves' Ronaldo.

He said on the Rio Meets podcast: "People think I hate him (Ronaldo), I love him.

"I think he is an absolute genius and what he's doing is incredible. I love Cristiano. I don't think people realise how close me and him were."

Rooney continued: "I think in his last three seasons he's been top goalscorer in Saudi. I absolutely love Messi, love watching him play and that was the only reason [I claimed he was better], because I think Messi has a little bit more in terms of how he played and taking players on and whatever.

"Ronaldo's a killer. People think because I have said 'Messi is better than Ronaldo', that I don't like him or I speak down on him. I just like the little flair Messi has, that's it.

"Cristiano is an absolute genius and what he's doing is incredible and so I take my hat off to him. I couldn't speak a bad word about him. To be honest, over the last couple of years, I'm thinking he's going to be the one [at the top] when you look back."

At the age of 40, Ronaldo is still going strong as he has made a flying start to the 25/26 season.

In five matches across all competitions for Al Nassr, the Portuguese legend has already scored four goals and assisted one.