The D.C. United striker played with the Portugal international during his time at Old Trafford, but prefers the Argentina icon
Wayne Rooney had no hesitation in proclaiming Lionel Messi better than former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.
The new D.C. United striker played with Ronaldo, now of Juventus , at Manchester United, forming a superb partnership with the Portugal international.
Rooney and Ronaldo were on the same side between 2004 and 2009, winning three Premier League titles, the Champions League, the FA Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup together.
However, the former England captain, who famously played against Ronaldo at the Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup, has now lauded Messi, insisting he is the best player in history.
Appearing on the 'Pardon My Take' podcast , Rooney was asked which player he preferred, and instantly replied with "Messi".
Asked why he selected the Argentina talisman, he added: "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."
Both players struggled to consistently replicate their brilliant club form at the World Cup. Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in his opening game against Spain and then the winner against Morocco, but his influence waned as Portugal were eliminated by Uruguay in the last 16, while Argentina only just escaped their group, and were subsequently downed by eventual champions France .
They are unlikely to lock horns this season, unless Juventus draw Barcelona in the Champions League. Indeed, Ronaldo's move to Italy marks the first time in just over a decade that the pair will not be in the same division, and the club's sporting director has admitted that the stunning move came from a "crazy idea" formed after his brilliant overhead kick at Allianz Stadium in 2017-18 .
"The crazy idea started after the crazy goal he scored against us," Fabio Paratici told Sky Italia.
"(Ronaldo's agent) Jorge Mendes told us that Cristiano was stunned by the attention he received, he said that one day he would like to come to Juventus."
vares
321
Ronaldo fans are angry with Rooney for speaking the truth. They now troll him as being jealous. confused fans.
weudety
213
both players are of the same level, the only difference is that Ronaldo has relocated same brilliance in different clubs and country. Hoping to see if Messi can do the same outside Barcelona
Tibacnpr
173
fool Messi plays in Conmebol WorldCup qualifiers where he has scored 19 goals Ronaldo plays against teams like Faroe Islands, Andorra, Gibraltar. Messi has overcome barriers of breathing problems while playing in high altitude places near Eqautor like Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador What has Cr7 done he only plays in Europe leagues Messi played in Argentinean league and then he travelled a far distance to Barca to pursue his dream. So do u still think that a player born is Europe and who has played in three Eu leagues has faced more hardships than A South American boy who had to leave behind his native club to pursue his dream in a European club whose style of football he ia not affiliated with. If u still think Cr7 is better, then i have one word to describe u MORON
henkrythemadhunter
141
In my opinion Ronaldo and Messi cannot be compared because Messi is pure Talent and Ronaldo is a really good example of HardWork.Messi have football in his veins and this was like this when he was younger "I think" whereas Ronaldo had become good because of his workhard and his determination to achieve more and more but its my OPINION
fizzbizzie
109
wrong, Messi won't improve Bayern a bit, he even has stopped winning champions league with a xavi less Barcelona, they e only made it to quarterfinal 4 times since xavi left and now iniesta is gone, Ronaldo regardless of who was at Madrid won it 4 times and 3 straight times. tell yourself who can improve Bayern's bet in champions league of the two.. Ronaldo didn't choose just , juve chose him.. if Everton were ready to pay his fee and he sees a good challenge there , he will move at least China offered twice what Juve offered but he chose football, at 33 ronaldo chose football ahead of other things.. he sure will improve Bayern not Messi.. the frenzy for that 33 yr old in Italy is no fluke , 500000 jersies sold in a day compared to neymars 10000 ..tells you his story, which other 33 yr old in football can command that.. respect king Ronaldo..