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Ronaldo has overtaken Messi as world's best, says Rooney

ESPN staff
November 6, 2014
Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or four times but Wayne Rooney expects Cristiano Ronaldo to win his third in 2014 © Getty Images
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Wayne Rooney believes Cristiano Ronaldo has displaced Lionel Messi to become the finest footballer in the world, and has backed his former Manchester United team-mate to retain the Ballon d'Or for a second straight year.

Ronaldo, who won the award in 2008 and 2013, heads a 23-man shortlist that also includes United's record signing Angel Di Maria.

2014 Ballon d'Or shortlist

  • Gareth Bale, Wales, Real Madrid
    Karim Benzema, France, Real Madrid
    Diego Costa, Spain, Chelsea
    Thibaut Courtois, Belgium, Chelsea
    Angel Di Maria, Argentina, Manchester United
    Mario Gotze, Germany, Bayern Munich
    Eden Hazard, Belgium, Chelsea
    Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden, Paris Saint-Germain
    Andres Iniesta, Spain, Barcelona
    Toni Kroos, Germany, Real Madrid
    Philipp Lahm, Germany, Bayern Munich
    Javier Mascherano, Argentina, Barcelona
    Lionel Messi, Argentina, Barcelona
    Thomas Muller, Germany, Bayern Munich
    Manuel Neuer, Germany, Bayern Munich
    Neymar, Brazil, Barcelona
    Paul Pogba, France, Juventus
    Sergio Ramos, Spain, Real Madrid
    Arjen Robben, Netherlands, Bayern Munich
    James Rodriguez, Colombia, Real Madrid
    Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal, Real Madrid
    Bastian Schweinsteiger, Germany, Bayern Munich
    Yaya Toure, Ivory Coast, Manchester City

Both were members of Real Madrid's Champions League-winning side, with Ronaldo scored the final goal and Di Maria named man of the match in the 4-1 final victory over Atletico Madrid.

The Portuguese has scored 22 goals in 16 games for Real this season.

When asked by MUTV if he expected Ronaldo to win the Ballon d'Or, Rooney replied: "I think so. I'm sure it'll be difficult to give it to anyone else."

Barcelona and Argentina forward Messi is a four-time recipient of the award but Ronaldo has averaged at least a goal a game in each of his last three seasons for Real.

Rooney said: "He's had an incredible two or three years and I think he has certainly overtaken Lionel Messi now as the best player in the world."

Ronaldo, whose 51 strikes for Portugal make him the nation's record international goal scorer, has struck 274 goals in 262 games for Real Madrid since joining them from United for what was a world-record £80 million fee in 2009.

He and Rooney were colleagues for United for the preceding five seasons and were both members of Sir Alex Ferguson's 2008 Champions League-winning side.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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