World football has seen many teams that have enjoyed a golden era, marked by the way they played or the results they achieved. But for a legend like Wayne Rooney There is no dispute about who was the best on the pitch.
In an interview with The sunRooney, one of England’s most legendary strikers and a popular figure at Old Trafforddid not hesitate, Pep Guardiola’s FC Barcelona as the best team that ever played.
“For me, Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona is the best team of all time,” Rooney explained, a statement that carries weight considering the Barcelona team in question was a bitter rival for his own team. Manchester United during their peak years.
Rooney’s admiration for Guardiola’s Barcelona also extends to the man who was the heart of the team—Lionel Messi. “Lionel Messi is the best player of all time. What he does is incredible. He can do everything. He scores goals and plays as a pure midfielder.” Rooney added that he puts Messi above his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo in the long-standing debate about who is the best.
Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona (R) in action against Rio Ferdinand (L) and Wayne Rooney (back) of Manchester United during the UEFA Champions League final. Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Rooney’s praise is particularly notable as Guardiola’s Barcelona beat his Manchester United twice UEFA Champions League Final – First in Rome In 2009where Messi’s iconic header sealed the victory, and then again in 2011 at WembleyWhere Barcelona delivered a footballing masterpiece.
Rooney and Guardiola: A unique relationship
Rooney’s career in England coincided with Guardiola’s arrival in the Premier League as coach of city rivals Manchester United. Manchester CityDespite their rivalry, Rooney has expressed his deep respect for Guardiola’s influence on the game.
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But after England’s disappointing exit from Euro 2024Rooney was critical of Guardiola’s influence on English football.”The game has become much more positional. Everyone is trying to score the perfect goal. I think that’s Pep’s fault. He brought that mentality to England,” Rooney noted that Guardiola’s style had changed the way teams played, often at the expense of individual strength.
Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist fluent in English and Spanish, specializing in soccer, the NBA and tennis. He began his professional career in 2020 at Mundo Deportivo US, where he took his first steps as a writer. Gianni has covered major sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals and Grand Slam tournaments such as Roland Garros. His ability to report on real-time events and write under pressure has made him a valuable member of a top-notch team of journalists. In 2024, he joined Bolavip US, where he covers a wide range of sports, including European soccer, MLS and the NBA. Gianni graduated in Communication from Deportea in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
