Wayne Rooney has shared his opinion on who he believes is more naturally gifted between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
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Rooney and Ronaldo formed a powerful partnership during their time together at Manchester United, despite a rocky beginning caused by Ronaldo’s role in Rooney’s red card during the 2006 World Cup quarter-final.
However, they moved past that incident and developed a strong on-field connection, which was key to United’s 2008 Champions League triumph against Chelsea…Continue Reading
Before Ronaldo’s transfer to Real Madrid in 2009, he was the focal point of the United team, with Rooney often playing in a supporting role from the wings to accommodate the Portuguese star.
As for Messi, Rooney never played alongside him but faced him in two Champions League finals, in 2009 and 2011, where Barcelona defeated Manchester United, possibly costing Rooney those titles.
Having faced both players, Rooney offered his view on who was more talented.
While playing a game with talkSPORT, the former England forward remained silent as names like Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Ronaldo were mentioned. But when Messi’s name was brought up, Rooney finally broke his silence.
“Yeah, I’d say Messi,” admitted Rooney.
The Plymouth Argyle manager has been a long-time fan of the Argentine and explained that Messi “has that little bit more flair” than Ronaldo.
“I think Messi, I think he’s just the best ever,” he said on the Overlap earlier this year.
“I get a lot of stick for saying Messi where it’s as if, ‘How can you say Messi, it’s Ronaldo.’ I understand that people can say Messi, people can say Ronaldo.”
Paul Scholes, the former Manchester United and Everton player’s ex-teammate, has also shared his opinion on the ‘GOAT’ debate.
Scholes played alongside Ronaldo and experienced the frustration of seeing his chances of securing a third Champions League title ruined by Messi’s exceptional performances in 2009 and 2011.
“Watching Messi against Tottenham at Wembley [in 2019] made me think about the Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo debate again,” Scholes said, speaking on ESPN in 2019.
“Messi, but Ronaldo is brilliant.
“Ronaldo is sensational at what he does, with pace and power. He scores, he takes free-kicks.
“But as an all-round footballer, Messi – wow, his passing – has absolutely everything.”
