WAYNE ROONEY does not believe Portugal stars enjoy playing with Cristiano Ronaldo in the same way Argentines do with Lionel Messi.
Ronaldo, 41, has started all five of Portugal‘s World Cup games thus far, scoring three goals.
Sign up for the Football newsletter
Thank you!
Wayne Rooney does not see the same group dynamic when he look at Portugal and Argentina Credit: BBC
Ronaldo is in the midst of his sixth World Cup campaign with Portugal Credit: Getty
But he is being outshone by a 39-year-old Messi who, with SEVEN goals in four games, is charging for the Golden Boot.
Messi is absolutely indispensable to Argentina but Rooney, who shared a Manchester United dressing room with Ronaldo for five seasons, does not get quite the same feeling when he looks at CR7 and Portugal.
The BBC pundit said: “You always put Ronaldo and Messi together because they are two of the best players the game has ever seen.
“But the Argentinian lads seem like they’re all there for Messi. They’re all behind him. Messi has obviously been fantastic at this World Cup.
READ MORE ON CRISTIANO RONALDO
RON MY WAY OUT
Ronaldo confirms this is his last World Cup in retirement bombshell
WORLDIE OFFERS
World Cup 2026 free bets and offers: Best new football sign-up deals
“I don’t get that vibe from the Portuguese players.”
Some have even suggested that Portugal boss Roberto Martinez would be wise to drop Ronaldo – who is not as mobile as he used to be – for the good of the team.
The veteran forward was subbed in the 81st minute against Croatia in the last 32 before Goncalo Ramos, who started on the bench, bagged a late winner.
And even Rooney admits that more than two decades at the top level might be starting to catch up with his former team-mate.
WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS
Lionel Messi has been on fire in North America Credit: Getty
Rooney and Ronaldo spent five seasons as team-mates in Manchester Credit: Getty
He added: “We saw Erik ten Hag go against Ronaldo and the backlash that came with it.
“For Martinez it’s not just Ronaldo, it’s a legacy, it’s everything that goes with it.
“If I put myself in Martinez’s shoes, he has got to ask himself if he has any regrets, and I think he might do if he sticks with him.
“Sometimes age gets you and it looks like it has a little bit.”
World Cup 2026 – all the info
The knockout stages of the World Cup are hotting up as we head towards the business end of the tournament.
England believe football might finally be coming home after 60 years of hurt, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham on fire.
But the likes of France, Spain and Argentina are all serious contenders to go all the way.
Heavyweights Germany, Netherlands and Brazil have all been knocked out.
LATEST NEWS
KEY INFO
VIDEO
TIPS AND BETTING
If you click a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue.
