While playing under Sir Alex Ferguson at United, Rooney and Ronaldo shared a strong bond and were an impressive duo on the field. ..Continue Reading
But over the past few years, their relationship seems to have cooled.
During a headline-making interview with Piers Morgan in 2022, Ronaldo was asked: “More pounds in the bank or more Instagram followers?”
He responded: “That’s a good question! Probably similar!”
Morgan followed up by saying: “I’m just trying to work out how Wayne Rooney could hate you even more!”
To which Ronaldo added: “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.”
More recently, in a conversation with Rio Ferdinand, Rooney made it clear that he “absolutely loves” Ronaldo.
Speaking on the Rio Meets podcast, Rooney said: “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.”
He went on to say: “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.”
Now at 40, Ronaldo continues to perform at a high level, having kicked off the 2025/26 season in impressive form.
In just five appearances across all competitions for Al Nassr, the Portuguese star has already netted four goals and provided one assist.
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