WAYNE ROONEY labelled Lionel Messi a “joke” and the greatest player ever as he told why he rates the Argentina hero above Cristiano Ronaldo.
Rooney says “nothing has changed” since he called Messi the best in 2012 and would “love” to have played in Barcelona’s side of a decade ago.
The PSG star, 35, notched a penalty opener and classy assist to leave France trailing 2-0 in Sunday’s World Cup final.
And days after making a subtle dig at Ronaldo, Manchester United legend Rooney reckons Messi’s unique dribbling skills puts him on a different level.
The former England skipper wrote in The Times: “I have the greatest respect for Cristiano and, when people argue he is the greatest, I know where they are coming from and respect that opinion.
“But, for me, Messi is just different. I played against him several times and it’s his ability to take and hold the ball, to control games, run at players, pass and score and be the difference.
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“Close up, you just can’t get near him. He is always in control. If he has the ball at his feet, he determines everything, your decision-making included.
“Being his opponent is a difficult place to be. You want to go and press him but know that if you do, you’re not going to win the ball.
“There are times you can tackle him, like when he is dribbling directly at you, but usually you’re just not going to dispossess him.”
Rooney believes Messi was extra special when linking up with Barcelona’s two Spanish pass masters ten years ago.
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He said: “You’re bigger than him but can’t use your power against him — Xavi and Andres Iniesta were the same.
“When you get close, those players have this low centre of gravity and balance which, added to their close control, means there is no getting to the ball.
“If there is one club I would love to have played for it was Barcelona, when they had that side. “
And of the GOAT’s weaving runs, Rooney added: “A difference between Messi and nearly every other player who dribbles is that he’s always moving.
“It takes so much to deal with him that it’s tiring. He wears you down until he becomes almost impossible to stop.
“There is just such joy watching his games. He has what Diego Maradona had in terms of the ability to go past players and then execute the full range of skills — pass, shoot, cross — and he has everything in terms of vision.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
