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Ahead of the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2022, former England legend Wayne Rooney made the choice of playing Lionel Messi at the top of his FIFA World Cup team, with Harry Kane on the bench and maybe the unpopular choice of the keeping Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo out of his team of the tournament.
During the pre-match discussions on India's official broadcaster for the World Cup Viacom Sports18, involving former France midfielder Robert Pires, and his former England teammate Sol Campbell, Rooney was asked about his favourite striker at the World Cup, based on their current form.
Rooney hesitated initially but went on to name both Messi and Kane but omitted his former Manchester United teammate. This comes after Ronaldo openly criticised the former Derby County manager, in an explosive interview where he also bashed his current manager Erik ten Hag and the Manchester United club hierarchy.
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Earlier, Cristiano Ronaldo suggested Rooney's criticism of his behaviour at Manchester United is rooted in jealousy. "I don't know why he criticises me so badly," he said in an interview with Piers Morgan. "Probably because he finished his career and I'm still playing at a high level. I'm not going to say that I'm looking better than him ā which is true..."
Ronaldo joined United for the first time in 2003, a year before Rooney was signed from Everton, and the pair won the 2007-08 Champions League together.
While Ronaldo will be heading to the World Cup with Portugal, Rooney ā England's record goalscorer ā is preparing for his first full season in charge of MLS side D.C. United. As well as poking fun at Rooney, Ronaldo used his interview as a platform to discuss how he has been 'betrayed' by United, adding he does not respect Ten Hag.
