Wayne Rooney Settles The Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo Debate

Wayne Rooney spent many years linking up with Cristiano Ronaldo to devastating effect but he had to admit that Lionel Messi edges the debate between the two.

Rooney and Ronaldo were unplayable during their period playing together at Manchester United and despite a brief rift following the 2006 World Cup, remain good friends off the pitch.

Yet despite his links to the Juventus superstar, England's record goalscorer couldn't overlook the brilliance of Messi, which he witnessed in two Champions League defeats to Barcelona.

"Ronaldo wasn't as focused on goals when we started playing together but you could see that all he wanted was to be the best player in the world," Rooney wrote in his Sunday Times column.

"He practised and practised and began to produce. Cristiano has become an incredible scorer and he and Messi are arguably the best two players the game has seen.

"But despite my friendship with Cristiano, I'd go for Messi. It's for the same reason I loved watching Xavi and Scholes: it's the different things in Messi's game. I've talked about composure and I can't remember seeing Messi score when he has hit the ball as hard as he could. He just rolls them in, makes it so easy.

"Ronaldo is ruthless in the box, a killer. But Messi will torture you before he kills you. With Messi you just get the impression he is having more fun. Those two have completely changed the game in terms of goalscoring numbers and I don't think they'll ever be matched."

Rooney's comments echo the sentiment of fellow United hero David Beckham, who too opted for six-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi.

The former England captain came up against the Argentine ace in 2013 when PSG and Barcelona played out a 1-1 drew and claimed it is "impossible" that there will be another player like Messi.

"He [Messi] is alone in his class as a player, it is impossible that there is another like him," Beckham told Argentine outlet Telam.

"He, like Cristiano Ronaldo, who is not at his level, are both above the rest."

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Featured Image Credit: PA Images

Topics: Football News, Football, Manchester United, Barcelona, Lionel Messi, Juventus, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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