Ronaldo, Bellingham. Mbappe, Owen were not better than me — Rooney makes bold claim

Ronaldo, Bellingham. Mbappe, Owen were not better than me — Rooney makes bold claim

Faruq Ibrahim 22:50 - 04.02.2025

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney made an interesting claim in a viral video.

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney mutedly claimed he was a bigger teenage sensation than the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Owen, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe. However, he admitted to being inferior to Lionel Messi.

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Rooney as a teenager 

As far as Wonderkids go, Rooney was one of the greatest the sport has ever witnessed. 

He became the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history at the time when he scored the winner for Everton against Arsenal in 2002—five days before his 17th birthday, effectively ending the Gunners' 30-game unbeaten run. 

He announced himself on the world stage in Euro 2004, where he scored four goals in as many games as an 18-year-old. For many, England would have advanced past Portugal in the quarterfinal had Rooney not hurt his metatarsal in the game. 

Wayne Rooney Everton FC Aston Villa V Everton Villa Park, Birmingham 22 September 2002 Copyright: Allstar RichardxSelle
Wayne Rooney Everton FC Aston Villa V Everton Villa Park, Birmingham 22 September 2002 Copyright: Allstar RichardxSelle

He secured a £25.6 million move to Manchester United in the summer of 2004, which made him the most expensive teenager at the time. 

What Rooney said 

The former England record scorer was certainly one of the best teenagers the game has seen, and he agrees. A clip making the round on social media showed Rooney revelling in that claim. 

The 39-year-old was asked to remain quiet until he heard the name of a better teenage sensation than him. The former Everton man was mute while the interviewer named Ronaldo, Owen, Bellingham and Mbappe.

Rooney broke his silence when Messi was named, saying, “Messi was better than me.” He has always been a big fan of the Argentine and has never shied away from expressing it, even at the expense of his relationship with Manchester United fans, who largely support Ronaldo in the GOAT debate. 

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