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Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney picked Lionel Messi over Cristiano Ronaldo as the individual who was more talented than him as a youth player. The former England international was one of the finest players of his generation and retired as the all-time highest goalscorer for the 20-time English champions.
In an interview with talkSPORT, the Plymouth Argyle manager was asked by the interviewer to stay silent until he heard the name of a player who was more talented in his youth than Wayne Rooney.
Rooney went on to keep silent while the interviewer listed off names like Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, he responded when Lionel Messi was named, saying:
"Yes, I would say Messi."
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The former England forward played alongside Ronaldo at Manchester United for five seasons, sharing the pitch for 14,852 minutes across 206 games. The duo combined for 25 goals and led the team to three Premier League titles and one UEFA Champions League crown.
When Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney picked between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in GOAT debate
The former Manchester United forward picked Lionel Messi over his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in the GOAT debate. In an interview earlier in the year with the Overlap, the 120-time England International said:
“I think Messi, he’s the best ever. 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 – they are both incredible, probably the best two players to ever play the game. For me, Messi has just got that little bit more flair, which I like in a player, so that’s the reason.”
Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are in the twilight of their illustrious careers and are now 39 and 37, respectively. The Portuguese forward now plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia after a disappointing second stint with Manchester United. Messi now plies his trade for MLS side Inter Miami and recently helped them to the Supporters Shield.
Wayne Rooney has hung up his boots and currently manages Championship side Plymouth Argyle. He has led them on a fine run of form that has seen them win three out of their last five games in all competitions.
