April 20, 2020
1 min read

Rooney Feels Messi is Superior to Ronaldo

TORONTO, Oct. 20, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Wayne Rooney of D.C. United reacts during the first round match of the 2019 Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup Playoffs between D.C. United and Toronto FC at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua/IANS)

https://youtu.be/cNEt6Huv8jc

Former England and Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has weighed into the age-old debate as to which player is better between Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentinian maestro Lionel Messi.

TORONTO, Oct. 20, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Wayne Rooney of D.C. United reacts during the first round match of the 2019 Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup Playoffs between D.C. United and Toronto FC at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada, Oct. 19, 2019. (Photo by Zou Zheng/Xinhua/IANS)

In the last decade or so, the two footballers have broken all scoring records en route adding multiple team and personal titles to their respective illustrious trophy cabinets.

Such has been their effect on world football that Messi has won the coveted Ballon d’Or a record six times while Ronaldo has won it five times.

Rooney, who shared the dressing room with Ronaldo at Old Trafford, is the latest to jump into the debate but he surprisingly didn’t pick his former teammate over the Barcelona talisman.

“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 column for The Sunday Times.

“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.

“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,” he added.

“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.”

READ MORE:

Over 10,000 Medical Masks Donated by Youth Football

Previous Story

Sri Lanka Easter Bombing Update

Next Story

Italian National: Kerala Will Always Be In My Heart

Latest from Sports

Gill: Bumrah Ready, Decision Soon

After a back stress fracture in the final 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Test, where he dominated Australia, Bumrah was confirmed by Gambhir and Gill to play only three of five Tests due to workload

Stokes: Don’t Write India Off Yet

Stokes added that his side’s sole focus is limited to the India series and not thinking beyond. Ahead of the first Test of the five-match series, England captain Ben Stokes said that

Headingley Heat or Swing Trap

Jaffer pointed out that Joe Root is undoubtedly the main guy that India should be looking to dislodge, even as others, including skipper Ben Stokes, are in indifferent batting form…writes Niharika Raina

Full Carse Ahead

Carse is adamant he will be taking the five-game series against India as an opportunity to show the different skills he brings to the table. England quick Brydon Carse is relishing the

Pant Stays Cool

Pant, who is set to continue at No. 5 in the batting order, also confirmed a major reshuffle As India braces for a much-anticipated five-match Test series against England starting June 20
Go toTop