When asked last year who he preferred out of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney said:
they’re two different players. But I think Messi’s incredible. I think he’s the best ever, so I’d have to say Messi.
In his defence he also went on to say that, in any other era, Ronaldo would be taking all the plaudits.
Nevertheless Wayne Rooney spoke at the Samsung Galaxy Team event this week and was asked a similar question. Rooney has been selected, along with the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, as part of this fantasy team in the build up to the World Cup.
During the question and answer session he was asked who he would like to sign for Manchester United given his pick of the Galaxy XI.
Asked by one fan: ‘If you could bring any player from the Galaxy team to Manchester United, which player would it be?’, Rooney replied: ‘Probably Cristiano!’
‘Cristiano Ronaldo and probably Luis Suarez a close second,’ said Rooney.
‘The best player I’ve ever played with is between two – Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes. Scholesy controlled the game and passed the ball around but in terms of winning games – Cristiano Ronaldo.’
It’s an articulate point of course. Ronaldo may not have the same cosmetic beauty on the field of play as Messi but he is a one man winning machine. And possibly even more efficient than his Argentinian counterpart.
Meanwhile Messi hasn’t had one of his best seasons, even though it’s still been superb by most footballers’ standards.
Ronaldo will always be a legend at Manchester United for what he did during his six year stay.
But given the choice soccersweep would still have to go for Messi.
As Rooney said last year he is the best footballer that has ever walked the planet and to see him playing for Manchester United would be utterly exhilarating.
But even though there been rumours of discontent with Messi over the last year or so it still seems highly unlikely that he would ever leave Barcelona.
To that end Manchester United fans would perhaps be better off dreaming about a Ronnie return to Manchester United.
Manchester United fans – given the choice would you take Ronaldo or Messi?