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Rooney on Messi and Ronaldo: I respect those who say that Cristiano is the best, but Leo is just different, it`s impossible to get close to him
2.01.2023
Wayne Rooney explained how Lionel Messi is different from Cristiano Ronaldo and other players.
In 2012 I tweeted: Messi is the best ever. When I saw him take Argentina to the World Cup final with a masterclass against Croatia, I retweeted: .
Some took it as an attack on Ronaldo, but nothing is further from the truth than such an opinion. I have a lot of respect for Cristiano and when people say he`s the best, I know where they`re coming from and I respect that opinion. But for me, Messi is just different.
I played against Messi several times and I know his ability to receive and hold the ball, control the game, go to the opponent, pass and score, decide the outcome of matches.
It`s just impossible to get close to him. He is always in control. If the ball is at his feet, he decides everything, including those decisions made by the opponent. Being his opponent is not easy.
You want to go and press him, but if you do that, you won`t win the ball. You can try to tackle when he comes with the ball straight at you, but usually you can`t deprive him of the ball. You are bigger than him, but you cannot use your power against him – Xavi and Iniesta were the same.
When Messi approaches the penalty area, you are afraid to put your foot out, because he can pass you, and you will bring a penalty or a free kick in the danger zone. And there are moments when he waits, doing nothing, and before you realize something, he scores.
The difference between Messi and almost any other player who dribbles is that Leo is always moving. He almost never stops with the ball. He goes forward, if the path is blocked, he passes to get a return pass.
You have to spend so much energy playing against him. It`s tiresome. He harasses you until it becomes almost unstoppable, ” wrote the former Manchester United striker in a column.
Rooney on Messi and Ronaldo: I respect those who say that Cristiano is the best, but Leo is just different, it`s impossible to get close to him
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