Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney had a clear-cut answer for former teammate Gary Neville over who is the best player of all time.
Wayne Rooney had a prolific playing career at club level and on the international stage, with the 38-year-old considered one of the best strikers of all time.
The former Manchester United and England striker enjoyed an illustrious spell at Old Trafford and hoovered up the major silverware at the Red Devils.
Rooney lifted five Premier League titles, a Champions League, a Europa League, an FA Cup and three League Cups during his time with United.
The United legend first arrived at Old Trafford in 2004 after former manager Sir Alex Ferguson snapped him up from Everton in a deal worth £27m.
Rooney continued his career at the Premier League club after Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013 and was promoted to the United captaincy under Louis van Gaal.
The former United and England captain left Old Trafford and returned to boyhood club Everton in 2017 for a brief second spell.
Rooney names ‘best-ever’ player
Following his second run at Goodison Park, Wayne Rooney played for DC United and Derby County before calling it time on his legendary playing career.
The former Manchester United and Everton star entered the world of coaching after his retirement as a player and tried to make a name for himself as a manager.
Rooney has taken charge of Derby County, DC United and Birmingham City, with his spell at the latter coming to an end in January with his sacking.
The ex-England international, who was recently appointed Plymouth Argyle manager, shared the pitch with a plethora of legendary players in his career.
Rooney played alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford and even against his fellow club legend as a player.
The United legend also crossed paths with Lionel Messi when the 2022 World Cup winner was at the peak of his powers at Barcelona.
During a quick-fire Q&A, Gary Neville asked Rooney to choose between former United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona legend Lionel Messi.
United’s all-time leading scorer insisted that Messi was the “best ever” in his eyes, despite explaining why he doesn’t pick Ronaldo in the so-called ‘GOAT’ debate.
Speaking on The Overlap, Rooney said: “I think Messi. I think he’s just the best ever.
“But I get a lot of stick for saying Messi as if like, ‘How can you say Messi? It’s Ronaldo.’
“And I understand people can say Messi, people can say Ronaldo. You can say either or. They’re both incredible.
“I think probably the best two players ever to play the game. For me, Messi’s just got that little bit more extra flair, which I like in a player, so that’s the reason really.”
Man Utd legend Rooney talks Messi
Rooney was in charge of DC United when Lionel Messi made his exit from Paris Saint-Germain and signed for Inter Miami in 2023.
The Plymouth Argyle boss welcomed the Barcelona icon’s arrival to the States at the time and insisted that Messi’s presence would put more eyes on the MLS.
“Commercially, it’ll be huge [Messi’s move to Inter Miami],” he told Sky Sports in 2023.
“It’ll draw more interest in the game from different regions of the world – I’m sure it’ll do that as well because you’re getting arguably the best player to ever play the game.
“I’m sure he’ll come here and want to be competitive and want to try and help Miami to climb up the table.
“I think not just fans, but coaches, players – everyone is excited to have him in the league.”