Rooney tells why Cristiano Ronaldo is a 'genius' and why he is different to Messi

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney opened up on his friendship with Cristiano Ronaldo saying he "loves him" and thinks he is a "genius".

Rooney said “People think I hate him! I love him! I think he’s an absolute genius; what he’s doing is incredible.”

He emphasized that their on-field success was underpinned by a real connection off it, adding: “I don’t think people realise how close he and I were.”

For years, Rooney’s occasional criticisms of Ronaldo’s behaviour—particularly during the Portuguese star’s challenging second spell at Old Trafford—were amplified by the media, overshadowing the respect between the two.

Rooney explained that his public comments about Messi being the better player have fueled this narrative, even though it was simply a matter of taste.

“Just because I’ve said Messi is better than Ronaldo, people think I don’t like Cristiano,” Rooney said, clarifying that his admiration for Messi's flair did not diminish his reverence for Ronaldo’s relentless output.

“Ronaldo’s a killer,” he acknowledged, highlighting the difference in their styles rather than a value judgment on their careers.

Meanwhile in a frank interview, Rooney said he believes he would be dead were it not for his wife Coleen helping him manage problems with alcohol.

The 39-year-old, United’s record goalscorer, says he was “struggling massively” with his drinking during his playing career and admits he would often do it for two straight days.

“I honestly believe if she weren’t there I’d be dead,” he told the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.

“I’ve made mistakes in the past which are well documented and whatever but I’m a little bit different at times and she keeps me on that path and she’s done it for 20-odd years.

“I wanted to go out and enjoy my time with my friends and have a night out. It got to a point where I went too far – that was a moment in my life where I was struggling massively with alcohol.

“I didn’t think I could turn to anyone. I didn’t really want to because I didn’t want to put that burden on anyone.

“I just drank for two days straight. Come training and at the weekend I’d score two goals and then I’d go back and go and drink for two days straight again.

“She’s helped me control that massively. She’s managed me because I needed managing.”

Rooney told his former team-mate he would arrive for United training after a boozy session and use eye drops, chewing gum and aftershave in an attempt to disguise the state he was in.