Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney risks getting into a new war of words with Cristiano Ronaldo - alongside his ongoing spat with Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
Wayne Rooney in front of a TV camera.
Wayne Rooney has received an indirect response from Cristiano Ronaldo.(Image: (Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images))
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Wayne Rooney could find himself in fresh conflict with Cristiano Ronaldo following the Portuguese star's latest comments about Lionel Messi that contradict his fellow Manchester United icon's stance. Ronaldo is currently in the midst of his third campaign with Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr.
The 40-year-old has netted eight times in this campaign following a brace in Al-Nassr's latest triumph over Al-Fayha. But it was a recent sit-down with controversial host Piers Morgan that thrust him back into the spotlight.
The interview aired on Tuesday, covering various subjects including the eternal Messi versus Ronaldo discussion, with the five-time Ballon d'Or winner predictably backing himself.
"Is Messi better than me? I disagree. I don't want to be humble," Ronaldo declared during his appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored.
Meanwhile, back in September while on the Rio Ferdinand Presents Podcast, Rooney acknowledged his previous remarks favouring Messi over Ronaldo, though this time he offered a more diplomatic assessment.
"People think I hate him [Ronaldo]," Rooney explained.
Ronaldo has indirectly responded to Rooney.
Ronaldo has indirectly responded to Rooney.(Image: (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images))
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"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 realise actually how close me and him were. I think just because I've said that I think Messi is better than Ronaldo, people think I don't like Cristiano.
"I absolutely love Messi, love watching him play and that was the only reason because I think Messi had a little bit more in terms of how he played and taking players on and whatever. Ronaldo's a killer - and people think because I have said Messi is better than Ronaldo, I don't like him or speak down on him.
"This person might prefer Messi or Ronaldo, but no, I don't think you can argue with any of them two. But then I think people think; 'Oh, Wayne said Messi's better than Ronaldo'.
"I get asked it all the time. I'm like; 'Come on'. The two of the best players ever, well, they are the two, in my opinion, the two best players to have played the game. And I just like the little flair about Messi and that's it.
"Cristiano is an absolute genius on what he's doing. He's just turned 40. What he's doing is incredible, and I take my hat off to him. I couldn't speak a bad word about him."
Virgil van Dijk in action for Liverpool.
Rooney was embroiled in a war of words with Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk.(Image: (Photo by Ryan Browne/Shutterstock))
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Rooney has also found himself embroiled in a far more heated exchange with Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk. The Dutchman recently hit back at his criticism by branding it "lazy", prompting Rooney to in turn fire back on the latest instalment of The Wayne Rooney Show.
"Van Dijk, similar to Mo Salah over the last five years, has been one of the best in the world," he said. "Last year it was hard to say anything bad because they were that good and he was that. I'm sure he would say he hasn't been at his best this season, if he's honest with himself.
"As captain, your job is to call meetings with your teammates and that was really what I was saying, as a leader, I'm sure he will have been doing that and I've got full respect for him.
"He's a fantastic player, but my job now as a pundit is to give my opinions on what I feel and I'm sure if you ask him or Arne Slot, he probably hasn't been as good as he has been over the last few years and that was my comment."