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Wayne Rooney responds to Cristiano Ronaldo calling him ‘jealous’
Published 19:55 7 Apr 2022 BST
Updated 19:55 7 Apr 2022 BST
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'I think every player, bar probably Lionel Messi, is jealous of Cristiano'
Wayne Rooney has responded to former Manchester United teammate Cristiano Ronaldo's comments that he is 'jealous' of the Portuguese star. The 36-year-old believes that every player in the world - apart from Lionel Messi - is jealous of Ronaldo after the former Real Madrid man hit out at his criticism of his second stint at Old Trafford. Rooney and Ronaldo played in the same United team between 2004 and 2009 - one of the most successful periods in the club's history.
What did Rooney say about Ronaldo?
Rooney, who appeared on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football earlier in the week, was asked if the decision to bring Ronaldo back had worked out. While acknowledging that he remains a goal threat, the Derby County boss said he believed United needed to introduce younger players to help revive the club's fortunes over the course of the next two years. "You'd have to say no [it hasn't worked], at the minute," Rooney said. "He's scored goals, he's scored important goals in the Champions League early on in the season. "He's scored the hat-trick against Tottenham but I think if you're looking to the future of the club, you have to go with younger, hungry players to do their best to lift Manchester United over these next two or three years. "Obviously Cristiano is getting on a bit. He certainly isn't the player he was in his twenties and that happens. That's football. He's a goal threat but the rest of the game, they need more. They need young, hungry players." https://twitter.com/SkySports/status/1511048455896010754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1511048455896010754%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joe.co.uk%2Fsport%2Fronaldo-rooney-jealous-328261How did Ronaldo respond?
Rooney posted a picture of his MNF appearance on his Instagram on Wednesday, with Ronaldo replying in the comments. 'Two (sic) jealous,' the five-time Ballon d'Or winner said.
Rooney reacts to Ronaldo's 'jealous' comments
When asked about Ronaldo's comment in his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Rooney said: "I actually saw that this morning and I'd probably say that there's probably not a football player on the planet who isn't jealous of Cristiano.
"The career he's had, the trophies he's won, the money he's earned, his six-pack, his body.
"I think every player, bar probably Lionel Messi, is jealous of Cristiano."
The Red Devils return to action on Saturday against Frank Lampard's Everton, who are battling to avoid relegation from the top-flight.
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