Cristiano Ronaldo expresses feelings towards Wayne Rooney following fallout
Cristiano Ronaldo has made his feelings clear on Wayne Rooney after the relationship between the former Manchester United teammates broke down, reports BritPanorama.
The pair, who shared five years at Manchester United, were integral to the success of the team, including their Champions League victory in 2008. Since then, their paths have diverged significantly.
After Ronaldo’s departure from Manchester United in 2009 for Real Madrid, he went on to achieve legendary status at the Spanish club before moving to Juventus and making a return to Manchester United in 2021. However, tensions re-emerged during his second stint when he refused to heed manager Erik ten Hag’s request to come off the bench in crucial moments.
As a pundit, Rooney has been critical of Ronaldo, openly expressing his belief that Lionel Messi surpasses him as the greatest player. In response, Ronaldo remarked three years ago, “I don’t know why he criticises me so badly… probably because he finished his career and I’m still playing at a high level.” He went on to state, “They [Rooney and Gary Neville] are not my friends, they are colleagues.”
In a recent interview with Piers Morgan, Ronaldo reaffirmed his stance, noting, “I don’t agree. I don’t want to be humble.” Now playing for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, Ronaldo’s contract is set to run until 2027, during which he also continues to lead Portugal as their captain heading into the 2026 World Cup.
Rooney has responded to Ronaldo’s comments with respect, stating, “I have the greatest respect for Cristiano… But, for me, Messi is just different.” His analysis of Messi’s playing style highlights what he perceives as an exceptional capacity to control games, akin to legends like Diego Maradona.
Ultimately, the dynamic between these two football icons illustrates the complexities of former teammates navigating the realms of sport and commentary, reminding fans of the sometimes fraught transitions from the pitch to the punditry chair.
