Wayne Rooney Explains Why Fans Believe He Dislikes Cristiano Ronaldo

Sep 25, 2025 - 19:38

Wayne Rooney has clarified that he doesn’t dislike Cristiano Ronaldo, saying his preference for Lionel Messi created the wrong impression despite a close bond with his former Manchester United teammate.

The former Manchester United striker and Ronaldo formed a lethal partnership at Old Trafford, delivering Premier League and Champions League titles before Ronaldo left for Real Madrid. Despite their history, some fans have long believed Rooney harbors resentment toward the Portuguese forward.

Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, Rooney insisted this perception is false. “People think I hate him. I think he’s an absolute genius. I don’t think people realise how close he and I were,” he said.

Rooney clarified that his stance in the Messi vs. Ronaldo rivalry fueled the speculation. “Just because I’ve said Messi is better than Ronaldo, people think I don’t like Cristiano,” he added, though he acknowledged Ronaldo’s relentless drive has kept him at the top for nearly two decades.

The retired England legend concluded by stressing that both players deserve admiration: “You might prefer Messi, someone else might prefer Ronaldo, but you can’t argue with either of them. Ronaldo is a killer, Messi is magic.”

Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney shared five memorable years together at Manchester United (2004–2009), forming one of the most feared attacking partnerships in Europe. Together, they fired United to three consecutive Premier League titles, a League Cup, and the 2008 Champions League trophy in Moscow, where both were key figures.

Ronaldo’s flair, speed, and clinical finishing blended perfectly with Rooney’s energy, vision, and versatility, creating a duo that scored and assisted freely. While Ronaldo eventually moved to Real Madrid in 2009 for a then-world-record fee, Rooney stayed to become United’s all-time leading scorer. Despite their different paths, their bond at Old Trafford remains remembered as a golden era for the club.

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ABAYO Bonheur ABAYO Bonheur is a professional sports journalist with extensive experience across multiple radio stations and digital platforms. He holds a degree in Journalism and Communication from the University of Rwanda, where he honed his skills in reporting, storytelling mainly documentaries. Throughout his career, Bonheur has gained both tangible experiences in live broadcasting and reporting, as well as the ability to maintain anonymity when covering sensitive stories. His versatility allows him to produce insightful, accurate, and engaging content across a variety of sports, earning him recognition for professionalism and reliability in the field.