Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney had only two clear-cut names in mind for the best player he ever played with and the best dribbler of all time.
The 39-year-old former Plymouth Argyle manager is considered one of the best Premier League strikers of all time and had a prolific playing career at Old Trafford.
Wayne Rooney became Manchester United’s all-time record scorer after the former England captain eclipsed Sir Bobby Charlton in the Red Devils’ goalscoring charts.
The United legend netted an incredible 253 times in 559 appearances for the Red Devils and Rooney hoovered up the major silverware at the Premier League club.
Rooney’s trophy haul at United included five Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, a Europa League, an FA Cup and three League Cups.
The former Red Devils skipper first arrived at Old Trafford in 2004 after legendary ex-United manager Sir Alex Ferguson snapped him up from Everton.
Rooney’s United run would come to an end in 2017 and the ex-United and England striker left the Premier League club and returned to boyhood side Everton.
The former United star would later play for MLS side DC United and Derby County before he called it time on his legendary playing career in 2021.
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Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
Speaking to TikToker ‘ben,’ Wayne Rooney took part in a series of quick-fire questions and he was asked about the best player he played alongside.
The former Manchester United captain admitted that fellow Red Devils legend Cristiano Ronaldo was the clear and obvious pick for the aforementioned question.
“I have to say Ronaldo,” Rooney simply said.
Cristiano Ronaldo ascended to world-class status during his first spell at the Red Devils under iconic former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in the 2000s.
Rooney linked up with Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez as part of a devastating – and memorable – trident attack force at United in the Premier League.
Ronaldo arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting CP in 2003 and he lifted three Premier Leagues, a Champions League, an FA Cup and two League Cups with United.
When he was asked about the best dribbler in the history of football, Rooney didn’t hesitate for one moment in picking out Barcelona and Argentina icon Lionel Messi.
READ MORE: Wayne Rooney names best English player of all time after ruling himself out, Sir Alex Ferguson would argue another pick
Why Wayne Rooney prefers Lionel Messi over Man Utd legend Cristiano Ronaldo
Speaking to former United and England teammate Gary Neville, Wayne Rooney revealed why he puts Lionel Messi ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo in the GOAT debate.
“I think Messi, he’s the best ever,” he said on The Overlap in 2024.
“I get a lot of stick for saying Messi where it’s as if, ‘How can you say Messi, it’s Ronaldo.’
“I understand that people can say Messi, people can say Ronaldo – they are both incredible, probably the best two players to ever play the game.
“For me, Messi has just got that little bit more flair, which I like in a player, so that’s the reason.”
Rooney is currently out of the managerial dugout after the former Birmingham City and DC United boss was axed from his role at Plymouth Argyle in 2024.