Wayne Rooney Would Rather Play With Messi Than Ronaldo

Manchester United star Wayne Rooney admits he would rather play with Lionel Messi than his former Old Trafford colleague Cristiano Ronaldo.

Rooney believes Messi is the best player in the world and although he and Ronaldo enjoyed some brilliant times together at Manchester United prior to the Portuguese ace’s world record move to Real Madrid last summer, the 24-year-old England forward suggests he would rather play in Messi’s team than Ronaldo’s.

The Barcelona star capped yet another brilliant season scoring over 40-goals for the La Liga giants and helping Josep Guardiola’s side retain the title. Rooney believes Messi is the greatest player on the planet, better than his former Manchester United teammate Ronaldo, and as good as Diego Maradona.

The Manchester United legend told the News of the World in an interview conducted by his Old Trafford and England teammate Rio Ferdinand, that he would rather have Messi in his team, than Ronaldo, despite the pair winning three Premier league titles and the 2008 Champions League together.

He said: “I don’t think Roni is going to be too happy with the answer. Lionel Messi. Over the last two years Messi has taken the game, excitement and entertainment to another level. Ronaldo is a world-class player, I have played with him and, rightly so, he was named World Player of the Year – but I think this year Messi has taken it to a different level,”

The England and Manchester United talisman puts the diminutive Argentine alongside Diego Maradona as the best player to have ever played the game. Rooney said: “He’s unbelievable. In my eyes he’s up there. Him and Maradona are the best two ever.”