Wayne Rooney Clarifies His Pick: Why He Chose Lionel Messi Over Cristiano Ronaldo

The ongoing discussion about the greatest soccer player often centers on Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Former Manchester United player Wayne Rooney has clearly chosen Messi, which drew criticism from those who expected him to support Ronaldo.

Rooney and Ronaldo were a powerful duo under Sir Alex Ferguson, winning the 2008 Champions League and three Premier League titles. Despite their successes, there have been rumors of a strained friendship. Rooney’s preference for Messi only added to this speculation, prompting him to directly address the issue on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.

“People think I hate him [Ronaldo],” Rooney stated. “I love him. I think he’s an absolute genius and what he’s doing is incredible. I love Cristiano and playing with him. I don’t think people realize actually how close me and him were. Just because I said that I think Messi is better than Ronaldo, people think I don’t like Cristiano.”

While Rooney acknowledged Ronaldo as one of the top forwards in soccer history, he expressed that Messi’s overall skills give him the edge.

“I absolutely love Messi, love watching him play, and that’s the reason I think Messi has a slight edge in how he plays and takes on defenders. Ronaldo’s a goal-scorer, and people mistakenly think I don’t respect him because I said Messi is better,” he continued.

Background: Rooney and Ronaldo’s World Cup incident

Tension rumors between Rooney and Ronaldo trace back to the 2006 World Cup when England faced Portugal in the Round of 16. During the match, Rooney received a red card following a tackle on Ricardo Carvalho, a moment intensified when Ronaldo appeared to urge the referee to send off his teammate.

This incident fueled speculation of a rift between the two players. Although they both downplayed the supposed conflict over the years, the narrative persisted, even after Ronaldo left Manchester United and after Rooney’s retirement.

Now, Rooney wants to clarify that his admiration for Messi does not lessen his respect for Ronaldo.

Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist, fluent in English and Spanish, with a specialization in soccer, the NBA, and tennis. He began his professional career in 2020 with Mundo Deportivo US, where he first established himself as a writer. Throughout his career, Gianni has covered major sports events such as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tournaments like the French Open. His ability to report on real-time events and perform well under pressure has made him a valuable member of a top-tier team of journalists. In 2024, he joined Bolavip US, where he now covers a wide range of sports, including European soccer, MLS, and the NBA.