When Lionel Messi has the ball at his feet, the whole world stops and watches. When he does something brilliant, the world soon knows about it, too. So, it wouldn't be too far-fetched to say that, when the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner gives his opinion on something to do with the beautiful game, the rest of the world sits up and takes note.
Many consider the Argentine World Cup winner the greatest of all time, a player in a league of his own. England fans, still clinging to the hope of ending a six-decade trophy drought, would have given anything to have a player of Messi’s calibre in their ranks. Yet, as the Three Lions have cycled through multiple so-called golden generations, the Inter Miami metronome believes one player in recent memory truly deserves the title of a "once-in-a-generation" talent.
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The Argentine said there is nobody like the Manchester United hero
Wayne Rooney Named His Pick for ‘Best’ English Footballer of all Time
Back in 2015, Messi named Wayne Rooney a "once-in-a-generation" player after the Manchester United forward became England's all-time leading goalscorer, having equalled a record previously set by Sir Bobby Charlton 45 years prior. Indeed, that record has since been broken again by Harry Kane, but Messi's comments still remain relevant today. As per The Standard, he said:
"Wayne Rooney is for me a once in a generation player. One of those special players, who is not comparable to any other. There are many special players, but Rooney has exceptional quality and technical ability as well as being one of the strongest players I have faced with an exceptional work rate - there is nobody like him."
During the time of the interview, Rooney had just helped the Three Lions become the first team to qualify for Euro 2016. Messi also highlighted the former Everton graduate's team-first mentality as a reason why he was so imperious. "Rooney is a winner. He will just be focused on success with England in the European Championship," the Argentina and then-Barcelona star said.
"I have always said the same is true of myself and Argentina - breaking caps and goals records mean nothing unless they come with trophies. Like I say, Wayne is a winner. It will always be the team first and personal records second."
Wayne Rooney's England Career
He defined the England golden generation
There can be few athletes in any sport who have lived up to expectations as heavy as those placed upon the broad shoulders of a young Wayne Rooney. Tipped for the top while still in Everton's youth team, Rooney racked up more than 40 Premier League appearances before officially becoming an adult.
Shortly before starring at Euro 2004 as an 18-year-old, already upheld as the brightest star of England's so-called Golden Generation, Rooney was likened to Pele by Sven-Goran Eriksson. Few dared question the comparison. Faced with impossible standards to meet, Rooney somehow exceeded them, finishing his career as the all-time leading scorer for Manchester United, having won five Premier League titles and a Champions League mantle. To this day, he also remains the second-highest goalscorer for his nation. See England's best goalscorers below:
England's all-time top goalscorers
Player
Harry Kane
Wayne Rooney
Sir Bobby Charlton
Gary Lineker
Jimmy Greaves
A stellar Euro 2004 was sadly the highlight of this magnificent footballer's international career as the former Man United talisman, like many of his cohorts, failed to meet expectations when wearing the famous white jersey. While tournament success was not found though, he could never be blamed for those shortcomings, as he also sits third among his nation's top assist-providers with 21.
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt (correct as of 21/03/2025)