Rooney and Ronaldo formed a devastating attacking duo under Sir Alex Ferguson, winning the 2008 Champions League and three straight Premier League titles together. Still, rumors of a strained relationship have long surrounded the pair. Rooney’s preference for Messi only added fuel to those stories—until he addressed them directly in an appearance on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.

“People think I hate him [Ronaldo],” Rooney said. “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 realize 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”.

While the former Manchester United striker described Ronaldo as one of the greatest forwards the game has ever seen, he admitted his admiration for Messi’s all-around brilliance tips the scales.

“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’ve said Messi is better than Ronaldo, I don’t like him or speak down on him,” he added.

The backstory: Rooney and Ronaldo’s World Cup clash

The rumors of tension between Rooney and Ronaldo date back to the 2006 World Cup in Germany, when England met Portugal in the Round of 16. In a heated match, Rooney was sent off after a challenge on Ricardo Carvalho—an incident made more controversial when Ronaldo was seen urging the referee to show his Manchester United teammate a red card.

That moment sparked widespread speculation of a fallout between the two stars. While both publicly downplayed the rift in the years that followed, the narrative lingered, even after Ronaldo left Manchester United and later, after Rooney’s retirement.

Now, Rooney has sought to put the matter to rest once and for all, making it clear that his admiration for Messi does not diminish his respect and affection for Ronaldo.

Two years ago, Tom Brady retired from the NFL after a highly successful career. He won seven Super Bowls—six with the New England Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Following his retirement, the former quarterback chose to invest his money to build an even bigger financial legacy for his family, acquiring part of Birmingham City, one of the oldest English soccer clubs.

Wayne Rooney throws jab at Tom Brady for judging his work ethic as manager

In soccer history, Wayne Rooney is regarded as one of the best strikers ever. He had an outstanding career at Manchester United, but his post-playing days have been more challenging.

Like many former players, Rooney decided to pursue a career in management after retiring. In 2023, Birmingham City hired him as coach, but the results did not meet the front office’s expectations and was fired 15 games later.

That same year, Tom Brady became a part-owner of the club. However, it seems he had limited time to fully understand soccer, and Rooney was reportedly uncomfortable with some of his decisions.

In a documentary about Brady’s investment in Birmingham City, the former quarterback is heard questioning Rooney’s work ethic. Rooney has now responded with a firm reply to TB12, highlighting the differences between football and soccer.

“I think Tom came in once, which was the day before a game where the days are a little bit lighter anyway, and I don’t think he really understood football (soccer) that well,” Wayne Rooney said, via ESPN.com. “But what he does understand is, he’s a hard worker, we know that.”

While Rooney acknowledges Brady as one of the greatest athletes of all time, he believes the former quarterback’s experience in football was not the best for a soccer club.

“Football (soccer) is not NFL,” Rooney added. “NFL works for three months a year. Players do need rest as well, so I think he’s very unfair, the way he’s come out and portrayed that. . . .

“Listen, I respect Tom Brady massively. He’s one of the greatest, if not the greatest athletes of all time and Birmingham do look like they’re getting it right now, which is good and I think what they have done is got the players out that they needed to get out.”

Rooney hailed current England captain Harry Kane as “England’s greatest striker,” backing the Bayern Munich star as the Premier League’s finest-ever No. 9. He also insisted Kane could still break Alan Shearer’s long-standing Premier League goal record if he eventually returns to English football.

Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate with Jamie Carragher, Rooney admitted to being a huge admirer of Kane—not just for his prolific scoring, but for how he’s evolved into a complete forward in recent years.

“He’s definitely up there,” Rooney said. “I love Harry. I think as a goalscorer, he’s evolved his game over the last few years, which we’ve all seen—dropping deep, a great range of passing, and the ability to score from outside the box.”

Harry Kane’s historic numbers with England

Kane is already England’s all-time leading scorer with 63 goals and currently sits second on the Premier League’s all-time scoring list with 213 goals—just 47 behind Shearer. Rooney firmly believes Kane would’ve shattered the record had he remained in England.

“If Harry had stayed in the Premier League, he’d break Shearer’s record for sure,” Rooney said. “Also, if he played for United, he’d be considered [at the very top]. He still can. He still should.”

Crowning Kane England’s best

Rooney also reflected on Kane’s tactical role with the national team, noting that his tendency to drop deep in major tournaments may have at times limited England’s attacking output. Still, his overall contribution and leadership remain undisputed in Rooney’s eyes.

“I think he’s England’s greatest striker,” Rooney continued. “Just look at the goals he’s scored, first of all. But then look at the games, the consistency, and the level he’s maintained. He’s probably got one more tournament left in him. You just hope he can help push us to that next level.”

Speaking on a Champions League broadcast, Rooney participated in a classic “pick-one” challenge, starting with a choice between Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah.

Rooney picked the Egyptian star but soon replaced him with Sergio Aguero. The Argentine striker held his spot over the likes of Karim Benzema and Raul before Rooney opted for Thierry Henry in the next round.

Henry surpassed rivals like Ruud van Nistelrooy, Andriy Shevchenko, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Robert Lewandowski but ultimately gave way to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Rooney then chose Ronaldo over Ronaldo Nazario, only to crown Lionel Messi as the best when it came to a showdown between the Argentine and the Portuguese icons. “Maradona is close, but I think I’d go with Messi,” Rooney concluded, leaving no doubt about his stance.

Rooney’s admiration for Messi Is well-documented

Rooney’s selection of Messi as the GOAT doesn’t come as a surprise. The Manchester United legend has consistently praised the Argentine forward, often placing him ahead of his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.

Years earlier, in an interview on the Pardon My Take podcast, Rooney expressed a similar sentiment: “Both [Messi and Ronaldo] are probably the two best players to ever play, but I just think Messi is, in my eyes, the greatest of all time”.

After Argentina’s World Cup triumph in 2022, Rooney doubled down on his admiration for Messi: “Lionel Messi is the best player ever. What he does is incredible; he has a bit of everything. From scoring goals to playing as a pure midfielder, he’s unmatched”.

Rooney acknowledges that Cristiano and Messi, who were at the heart of the famous rivalry between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, are both among the best ever. Still, he chooses Messi over his former United teammate, a choice that might come as a surprise to fans.

Back in 2018, Rooney was asked to name the best between Messi and CR7. “Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi? Messi. I’ve said it before: the two of them are probably the best two players to have played the game, but I just think Messi is, in my eyes, the greatest of all time,” Rooney shared on the Pardon My Take podcast.

Despite his years alongside Ronaldo at Manchester United, Rooney firmly believes the Argentina captain stands above any other player in history.

Rooney’s all-time greatest team

Alongside his choice of Messi over Ronaldo, Rooney didn’t hesitate to name his pick for the greatest team of all time in a 2018 interview with The Sun. Not surprisingly, he selected a team that included the Argentine forward.

“In my view, Pep Guardiola’s FC Barcelona was the best team of all time,” said Rooney, who later played for Derby County. In the same interview, he commented on Messi, who at that time hadn’t yet won the 2022 World Cup: “Lionel Messi is the best player ever. What he does is incredible; he has a bit of everything. You can watch him from scoring goals to playing as a pure midfielder.”

Rooney and Guardiola: A unique relationship

Rooney’s career in England overlapped with Guardiola’s arrival in the Premier League as manager of Manchester City, United’s cross-town rival. Despite their competition, Rooney has openly expressed respect for Guardiola’s influence on soccer.

Yet, following England’s disappointing exit from Euro 2024, Rooney offered a critique of Guardiola’s impact on English soccer. “The game has become much more positional. Everyone is trying to score the perfect goal. I think that’s Pep’s fault. He brought that mentality to England,” Rooney commented.

The Lionel Messi–Cristiano Ronaldo rivalry keeps being a topic of debate, even as the stars are both in the twilight of their careers. Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney is one of the latest personalities to chime in, but this time, from a very particular view: how was better than him when they were younger?

Playing a game of ‘stay silent’ with talkSPORT, Rooney was asked to “stay silent until you hear of a player who was more talented in his youth than Wayne Rooney.” Rooney was quiet when Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and even Ronaldo, his former teammate, were mentioned.

“That’s big, you know,” the presenter said after he didn’t say anything when Ronaldo was mentioned. However, he broke silence when Messi was brought up. “Yeah, I’d say Messi,” admitted Rooney.

It’s not the first time that Rooney has chosen Messi over Ronaldo. When the Argentine star signed with Inter Miami, he said that he was “arguably the best player to ever grace the field. His competitive spirit and talent will undoubtedly aid Miami in climbing the ranks.”

However, his preference is still somewhat surprising considering that he shared five seasons with Ronaldo in Manchester United. Their partnership ended when Ronaldo left United to join Real Madrid in 2009.

Messi and Ronaldo keep making history

Although Messi and Ronaldo are nearing the end of their careers, they remain at the forefront of debates over who is the greatest of all time. Their continued success in the United States and Saudi Arabia, respectively, keeps the conversation alive.

Messi recently secured the Supporters’ Shield with Inter Miami, marking a first for the club, and he will soon have a shot at competing for the MLS Championship in the upcoming playoffs. Meanwhile, Ronaldo continues to add to his scoring tally, which now stands at 905 career goals.

In a 2018 interview with The Sun, Rooney, one of England’s most iconic forwards and a beloved figure at Old Trafford, didn’t hesitate to crown Pep Guardiola’s FC Barcelona as the best team to ever play the game.

“In my view, Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona is the greatest team of all time,” Rooney declared, a statement that carries weight, considering the Barcelona side in question was a fierce rival to his own Manchester United during their peak years.

Rooney’s admiration for Guardiola’s Barcelona extends to the man who was the team’s linchpin—Lionel Messi. “Lionel Messi is the greatest player ever. What he does is incredible; he can do everything. You see him scoring goals and playing as a pure midfielder,” Rooney added, putting Messi above his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in the long-standing debate over who is the best.

Rooney’s praise is especially noteworthy given that Guardiola’s Barcelona twice defeated his Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League finals—first in Rome in 2009, where Messi’s iconic header sealed the win, and then again in 2011 at Wembley, where Barcelona delivered a masterclass in football.

Rooney and Guardiola: A unique relationship

Rooney’s career in England coincided with Guardiola’s arrival in the Premier League as manager of Manchester United’s city rivals, Manchester City. Despite their rivalry, Rooney has expressed deep respect for Guardiola’s influence on the game.

However, after England’s disappointing exit from Euro 2024, Rooney offered a critical take on Guardiola’s impact on English football. “The game has become much more positional. Everyone is trying to score the perfect goal. I think that’s Pep’s fault. He brought that mentality to England,” Rooney remarked, suggesting that Guardiola’s style has reshaped how teams play, often at the expense of individual flair.

Erik ten Hag’s future at the club is reportedly all but over, but the former Ajax manager could save face with an FA Cup win over Manchester City. Still, for one Manchester United legend, a major change is needed.

Wayne Rooney spoke about the current situation of the club with Sky Sports, indicating that a lot of people have to go so Manchester United can start fresh.

Wayne Rooney on Manchester United

Wayne Rooney stated to Sky Sports, “You have to build around Bruno (Fernandes). He’s the one player with quality. He has got fight in him. I think you keep the young players and Bruno. I think it has to be a massive clearout, it has to be. It’s not going to be in one year, but it’s got to be over the next couple of years.”

Rooney added, “To compete in this league, they need better players. Don’t get me wrong, these players are good players and Premier League players. But to compete with Manchester City, with Liverpool, with Arsenal, they need better players.”

Not only that, but Manchester United also needs infrastructure improvements, as images of Old Trafford struggling to cope with heavy rainfall were posted all over social media. New co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is intent on renovating the treasured ground.

Manchester United still have unfinished business in the FA Cup, but after a regular season that saw them lose over 10 games, they have a busy summer ahead to get United back to where they once were.

Brought in to simply raise the club’s profile, Rooney won only twice in 15 matches for Birmingham City. Now after being removed from his position at the start of the year, Rooney seems to be turning his attention to another passion of his, boxing.

According to The Sun, Rooney has held conversations with Misfit Boxing and is looking to cash in on the celebrity boxing fad.

Wayne Rooney looking to box Jake Paul

Misfit Boxing promotes boxing fights between celebrities, not so much professional prize fighters. Owned by YouTuber KSI, the influencer stated that Rooney had already reached out to him about fighting.

“It’s funny – I hope he doesn’t get annoyed that I said this – but Wayne Rooney hit me up being like, ‘Oh, we should fight.’ And I said no. I just don’t want to do that. If Wayne Rooney is down, of course I think it would be good to have him in this space.”

It is reported that Anthony Joshua, a professional boxer, could be Rooney’s first big time fight in the ring.

Eddie Hearn, a boxing promoter even went as far as to mention that a Rooney vs Jake Paul fight could be in the cards if Rooney decides to truly lace them up.

“Wayne can fight, he had a couple of amateur fights – but him against Jake Paul at Old Trafford, that’s actually a makeable fight” Hearn stated.

John Eustace, who was the coach before the former DC United manager came on board, was fired after guiding the club to its highest points tally since 2016 and was sacked because the club and board wanted to be “fully aligned on the culture of the football club”.

Rooney’s hiring, especially after NFL legend Tom Brady became a part owner of the team, was seen as giving the team unnecessary “star” power, it completely backfired. Rooney was only able to win 2 games out of 15, making Birmingham City the Championship team with the fewest points total since October when Rooney was appointed.

Wayne Rooney releases statement after sacking

“I would like to thank Tom Wagner, Tom Brady and Garry Cook for the opportunity to manage Birmingham City FC and the support they gave me during my short period with the club.

“Football is a results business – and I recognize they have not been at the level I wanted them to be. However, time is the most precious commodity a manager requires, and I do not believe 13 weeks was sufficient to oversee the changes that were needed.

“Personally, it will take me some time to get over this setback. I have been involved in professional football, as either a player or manager, since I was 16. Now, I plan to take some time with my family as I prepare for the next opportunity in my journey as a manager.”

This was part of the former Manchester United legend’s statement after the news came down and was posted on Rooney’s social media pages. Rooney’s managerial record is now 40-73-40 after managing Derby County, DC United, and Birmingham City.

According to Rooney the overuse of social media and technology has created a sort of “lack of leadership” in English soccer. Claiming that dressing rooms are a lot quieter than they used to be during his playing days.

According to the former DC United boss, that is due to too much technology, and not enough face to face interaction. It is also causing many young players to not assume leadership roles according to the current Birmingham City manager.

Rooney on communication

‘The amount of time you see people on their phones, social media… it’s so easy to have conversations on your phone and through those platforms rather than the most important one which is actually speaking to someone face to face. Certainly, on a football pitch that has changed over the years, there is no doubt about that.

‘It’s trying to get the players to speak more. The more you speak the more you help your team-mate, the more you wake up your team-mate on the pitch, just by communicating.

‘When you’re a defender you need to be talking to your midfield players, whether you ask them to shuffle left, right, get to the ball.

‘When you’re a midfield player you need to be talking to your attacking players and that helps your team-mate. That’s how football works and how it’s always been.

‘As a defender you can see more that a midfielder can see from being at the back, same with your goalkeeper to the back four. Talking helps and that’s always been the way it’s been on the pitch´ Rooney finished in his press conference.