What Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo said about Wayne Rooney’s career as Man Utd icon retires to become Derby boss

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LIONEL MESSI and Cristiano Ronaldo each hailed Wayne Rooney’s profession and expertise earlier than his retirement.

The Manchester United and England file goalscorer, 35, hung up his boots after a stellar 19-year profession.

Cristiano Ronaldo hailed his former team-mate Wayne Rooney for his talent, mentality and career — Cristiano Ronaldo hailed his former team-mate Wayne Rooney for his expertise, mentality and professionCredit score: Getty Pictures – Getty

He has now been appointed permanent Derby manager after a profitable caretaker spell at Satisfaction Park.

Rooney won 16 trophies with Manchester United together with 5 Premier Leagues, Champions League, Europa League, Membership World Cup, FA Cup and three League Cups.

But it surely was his raw talent that saw him burst on to the scene as a teenager at Everton earlier than incomes his big-money transfer to Outdated Trafford.

And with 11 Ballons d’Or between them, Ronaldo and Messi definitely know how you can recognise greatness.

Ronaldo and Rooney had been team-mates beneath Sir Alex Ferguson at United, successful three league titles in a row collectively.

Talking in 2015, the Portuguese star advised Goalhanger: “For me the ability of Wayne Rooney is his mentality and power.

“He by no means stops, he all the time runs, helps the workforce. He is a incredible workforce participant and he scores objectives.

“He scored necessary objectives, for me he is incredible. He was the child of England. Everybody cherished him. He’s a incredible boy, incredible participant.

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“I used to name him, between me and my mates, the pitbull. I bear in mind when he misplaced the ball he was so highly effective, a robust man, he shoots unbelievable.”

Ronaldo added that he ‘misses enjoying with him’ and hoped to sooner or later take to the sphere alongside the previous England captain once more.

Messi, in the meantime, got here up in opposition to Rooney 3 times.

The England legend earned one draw – a 0-0 within the first leg of the 2008 Champions League semi-finals – however misplaced each the finals in opposition to Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona in 2009 and 2011.

Argentine hero Messi added on Rooney in an interview with Coach Magazine: “Over time we’ve got confronted many British groups in Europe and are available up in opposition to many good gamers.

“However I’ve all the time had an enormous respect for Wayne Rooney.

“He has performed on the highest stage for a few years and is among the particular gamers of the technology.”

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