Wayne Rooney Labels Cristiano Ronaldo as ‘Selfish’ and Explains Why Lionel Messi is the GOAT
Cristiano Ronaldo has been described as “selfish” by former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney, who has opened up about what makes Lionel Messi the more complete player.
Eden Hazard recently claimed that he was a better footballer than the Portuguese in pure terms, and the former Chelsea attacker was widely chastised for his remarks, but Rooney believes he understands what the Belgian was saying.
Speaking with on YouTubers Lyes Bouzidi and CultureCams, he said: “So for instance, Cristiano Ronaldo, his mindset is goals. He doesn’t care about anything else, it’s goals, that’s all he wants. Whereas you look at Messi, he wants to play a bit more.
“I suppose that’s what Hazard is saying, he liked to play – exactly like myself. I saw something that Gary Neville said recently, that Alex Ferguson always used to have a go at me for coming too deep, but it was because I wanted to play football.
“And I could have been a bit more selfish and stayed up top, and maybe scored a few more goals, but I wanted to play. I wanted to enjoy the game and I imagine that’s what Hazard means.”
Rooney and Ronaldo were Manchester United teammates for five years, from 2004 to 2009, and won three Premier League titles and the Champions League as part of an impressive team led by Sir Alex Ferguson.
However, Rooney was critical of Ronaldo near the end of his more difficult second spell at Old Trafford in 2022, which upset the Portuguese.
Following criticism from Rooney and former United right-back Gary Neville, Ronaldo told Piers Morgan that he no longer considered them friends.
Ronaldo, who turned 39 earlier this month, plays for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr against Al-Fateh on Saturday. Messi’s next MLS match is for Inter Miami against Real Salt Lake next Thursday.
Wayne Rooney Labels Cristiano Ronaldo as ‘Selfish’ and Explains Why Lionel Messi is the GOAT