I think Rooney landed back on earth after that and became aware of himself. Psychologically he never had Messi's otherworldly emotional equilibrium or Ronaldo's unrelenting tunnel vision and drive. He was more conflicted as a person and had his off pitch issues. He was too fond of his cigarettes, food and booze. His form became patchy seemed to crash after amazing runs of performances.I remember that summer very well. God, how exciting it was for us to sign him. I remember not being able to wait until that game against Fener. And after, well I think I spent weeks pretending I was Rooney when kicking the ball (I was 14) about with my mates.
Imagine if we had Twitter etc in those days. The hype would have been mental about him.
I think Rooney landed back on earth after that and became aware of himself. Psychologically he never had Messi's otherworldly emotional equilibrium or Ronaldo's unrelenting tunnel vision and drive. He was more conflicted as a person and had his off pitch issues. He was too fond of his cigarettes, food and booze. His form became patchy seemed to crash after amazing runs of performances.
He still had a fantastic career though.
Uh? Ronaldo destroyed his knee, Rooney was the bigger talent than who?
Reaching Messi/Cristiano levels is one thing but it's very rare for players that good at that age to not become all time greats
Of all those guys the only one comparable to Mbappé is Neymar. The others weren't anywhere near this good at that age.That last part doesn‘t hold the test of time. Look back 5 years ago. The best talents were Neymar, Hazard, Goetze, Pogba, Isco, Thiago and Verratti. Hazard did more in France than Mbappe did. Goetze was the biggest german talent since the 70s. Verratti was supposed to be the next Pirlo and Thiago was seen as the successor to Xavi. Fast forward and none of those players realized their full potential. Neymar is the exception and he won‘t reach All time great level if he doesn‘t win the WC.
It is not even that those players were misjudged, they are supremely talented and have the gifts to be all time greats. It just didn‘t came together for them for one reason or another.
Hazard was that good but he had question marks about his attitude outside of Lille and Garcia's disciplinary bubble.Of all those guys the only one comparable to Mbappé is Neymar. The others weren't anywhere near this good at that age.
Also, the Rooney vs Messi comparison is definitely a british thing. Rooney was an incredibly exciting talent. Messi...pretty much everyone who saw him at 18 thought "potential best ever".
To your average fan back then Rooney and Messi were in the same bucket. As ridiculous as it is and soundsOf all those guys the only one comparable to Mbappé is Neymar. The others weren't anywhere near this good at that age.
Also, the Rooney vs Messi comparison is definitely a british thing. Rooney was an incredibly exciting talent. Messi...pretty much everyone who saw him at 18 thought "potential best ever".
Hazard and Gotze were.Of all those guys the only one comparable to Mbappé is Neymar. The others weren't anywhere near this good at that age.
Also, the Rooney vs Messi comparison is definitely a british thing. Rooney was an incredibly exciting talent. Messi...pretty much everyone who saw him at 18 thought "potential best ever".
To your average english fan, maybeTo your average fan back then Rooney and Messi were in the same bucket. As ridiculous as it is and sounds
ThisTo your average english fan, maybe
He was voted the 'Golden Boy' in 2004 by journalists across Europe. 1 year before Messi. Ronaldo never won it.To your average english fan, maybe
Ronney at 16 was better than Mbappe at 19.He clearly wasn't.
I disagree. Götze and Hazard were ridiculously good. They never had Mbappe's pace but are far better technicians and thus better dribblers in tight spaces. Götze's close control, first touch and short passing skills were just insane. Neymar ultimately turned out as the best of the three, Hazard made it into a very, very, very good player and Götze unfortunately has health problems that held him back. But still he scored a WC winner goal and was the best player of the CL finalist Dortmund, dominating sides like Madrid and City aged 20/21.Of all those guys the only one comparable to Mbappé is Neymar. The others weren't anywhere near this good at that age.
Also, the Rooney vs Messi comparison is definitely a british thing. Rooney was an incredibly exciting talent. Messi...pretty much everyone who saw him at 18 thought "potential best ever".
In 2006, Messi was a nobody at the stage of World football. A footnote at Argentina and Barca. He was seen as a great talent, but not as a great player just yet whereas Rooney commanded much respect already. Messi played very little for Barca, under 1.000 minutes in the league and didn't play in the CL knockout stage after the last 16. Rooney was an established top player in the PL (then the best league in the world) and for Man Utd with 19 goals and 10 assists in all comps.To your average english fan, maybe
Funny thing is that back in those days Messi always used to pick Rooney in his dream teams. Said that he's the 'strongest' player he's ever faced. Young Rooney brought a lot more than goals and assists. He played with a rare intensity and work rate. It lifted the crowd and his teammates but boiled over sometimes.In 2006, Messi was a nobody at the stage of World football. A footnote at Argentina and Barca. He was seen as a great talent, but not as a great player just yet whereas Rooney commanded much respect already. Messi played very little for Barca, under 1.000 minutes in the league and didn't play in the CL knockout stage after the last 16. Rooney was an established top player in the PL (then the best league in the world) and for Man Utd with 19 goals and 10 assists in all comps.
So yes there was even a stage where Rooney was ahead in terms of his stature.
Yes, Rooney was recognized as an incredible talent. Messi was "he's going to be the best ever" stuff. Big differenceHe was voted the 'Golden Boy' in 2004 by journalists across Europe. 1 year before Messi. Ronaldo never won it.
Messi got injured against Chelsea. That's the reason he didn't play that much, he literally wasn't available for the last 4 months of the season. At 18 he was a starter for the best team in the world and already capable of overshadowing ronaldinho. Anybody could see 18 year old Messi was going to become better than Dinho within a couple years. Dinho himself thought so. And Pekerman was massively criticized for underusing him in Germany. It was clear he was already a better player than Saviola. Rooney never had the same kind of hype as Messi outside of england, and understandably so. Rooney was like Owen, Raul. Great, but hardly the potential to reach Pelé or Maradona. Messi was pretty much expected to reach that level, barring injuries or bad mentalityIn 2006, Messi was a nobody at the stage of World football. A footnote at Argentina and Barca. He was seen as a great talent, but not as a great player just yet whereas Rooney commanded much respect already. Messi played very little for Barca, under 1.000 minutes in the league and didn't play in the CL knockout stage after the last 16. Rooney was an established top player in the PL (then the best league in the world) and for Man Utd with 19 goals and 10 assists in all comps.
So yes there was even a stage where Rooney was ahead in terms of his stature.
If we can all just speak for our respective countries then here in America too and like I said, look at FIFA or FM ratings during that time which best reflect public sentiment.To your average english fan, maybe
Again, in the United States Rooney had incredible hype and also in Asia. I do agree even in 2006 Messi was regarded as the next big thing but till 2006/07 Rooney had as much if not more stature.Yes, Rooney was recognized as an incredible talent. Messi was "he's going to be the best ever" stuff. Big difference
Messi got injured against Chelsea. That's the reason he didn't play that much, he literally wasn't available for the last 4 months of the season. At 18 he was a starter for the best team in the world and already capable of overshadowing ronaldinho. Anybody could see 18 year old Messi was going to become better than Dinho within a couple years. Dinho himself thought so. And Pekerman was massively criticized for underusing him in Germany. It was clear he was already a better player than Saviola. Rooney never had the same kind of hype as Messi outside of england, and understandably so. Rooney was like Owen, Raul. Great, but hardly the potential to reach Pelé or Maradona. Messi was pretty much expected to reach that level, barring injuries or bad mentality
I think you went a bit overboard with Messi's contribution in that season. He played just over 900 minutes in the league, that means just 10 league games. I won't say he wasn't seen as a big talent, but he was just that. Playing 10 games is in no way comparable to Rooney being one of the best players in the best league in the world.Yes, Rooney was recognized as an incredible talent. Messi was "he's going to be the best ever" stuff. Big difference
Messi got injured against Chelsea. That's the reason he didn't play that much, he literally wasn't available for the last 4 months of the season. At 18 he was a starter for the best team in the world and already capable of overshadowing ronaldinho. Anybody could see 18 year old Messi was going to become better than Dinho within a couple years. Dinho himself thought so. And Pekerman was massively criticized for underusing him in Germany. It was clear he was already a better player than Saviola. Rooney never had the same kind of hype as Messi outside of england, and understandably so. Rooney was like Owen, Raul. Great, but hardly the potential to reach Pelé or Maradona. Messi was pretty much expected to reach that level, barring injuries or bad mentality
Fair enough, you're right about that. My point stands though. As far as Italy is concerned, the perception regarding rooney in 2004 and 2005 was "best case scenario, if everything goes right he'll reach the level of Best/Eusebio/Van Basten". With Messi, in 2005 it was "if everything goes right he goes on the pedestal right next to Pelé and Maradona. And possibly higher"If we can all just speak for our respective countries then here in America too and like I said, look at FIFA or FM ratings during that time which best reflect public sentiment.
I don't recall people saying that about Messi. Yes, after he scored that clone of Maradona's goal against England at WC86 people were saying that he would become the best in the world but best ever? It was more by 2010 when his fellow pros were saying 'he's an alien, a playstation player etc'.Yes, Rooney was recognized as an incredible talent. Messi was "he's going to be the best ever" stuff. Big difference
To be fair, they're comparing Mbappe to them when they were also in their teens, not as the finished articles. We just have the benefit of knowing where all those players ended up. It's a fun, harmless debate.Mbape is 19 years old and suddenly compared with players that already played at the top for more than 10 seasons.
Everyday stuff on caf.
When Mbappe will be 30 and will achieve shite in this game we can talk about it.
Might as well not speculate and discuss anything then and leave it till everyone achieves what they have to.Mbape is 19 years old and suddenly compared with players that already played at the top for more than 10 seasons.
Everyday stuff on caf.
When Mbappe will be 30 and will achieve shite in this game we can talk about it.
Actually in 2006 Maradona said Messi is my successor and I do agree people thought he would be the next massive player. I just don't agree with the posters that say in 2004 and 2005 everyone thought the same.I don't recall people saying that about Messi. Yes, after he scored that clone of Maradona's goal against England at WC86 people were saying that he would become the best in the world but best ever? It was more by 2010 when his fellow pros were saying 'he's an alien, a playstation player etc'.
I read an interview with a lad who came through La Masia with him but ended up playing lower levels, like a contrast of experiences piece, this lad said he never thought for one second that Messi would become the best in the world, let alone the best ever, when the were at La Masia together.
Messi has amazing technical qualities but a number of players do, what you just can't predict, ever, is that a player will be able to show their best form as consistently as Messi did. That is the rare thing.
I don't remember anyone around me rated Rooney in China or Canada back then, and Luiz Ronaldo before his knee injury is the best striker i have ever seen. Power, pace, dribbling, free kick, good with both feet...he had it all back then. Mbappe is just like a young Henry.In 05-06 Season: Rooney > Messi > Luiz Ronaldo > Mbappe
At 19yo: Luiz Ronaldo > Mbappe > Messi > Rooney
Overall: Messi > Ronaldo > Rooney > Mbappe (He's 19 lads, has his career ahead of him)
I said that posters on here think Rashford is better, which is correct, not that every poster, nor even a majority, thinks that he is.You convincingly missed the post where in a poll 87% people said that Mbappe was better and that was one year ago. Stop posting bullshit. Mbappe is always favored heavily in these threads and rightly so.
Not everyone but his performance vs Chelsea in 2005 was absolutely fantastic. I remember how impressed I was with it. Couldn't believe that he could be so good at 18.Actually in 2006 Maradona said Messi is my successor and I do agree people thought he would be the next massive player. I just don't agree with the posters that say in 2004 and 2005 everyone thought the same.
He was rushed back too quickly after both of those injuries, that really fecked him I think.Yeah I agree with that. Couple of injuries in key parts of his career didn't help either. Game at Stamford Bridge in 2006 right before the World Cup and in quarters vs Bayern. Those two injuries set him back or put him out of rhythm if you like.
Maradona also said that Rooney was better than Kaka when the latter won his Ballon D'Or. Same interview he said that the three best Argentinians were Aguero, Riquleme and Messi.Actually in 2006 Maradona said Messi is my successor and I do agree people thought he would be the next massive player. I just don't agree with the posters that say in 2004 and 2005 everyone thought the same.
Messi aged 19 finished third in the Ballon D'Or (ahead of Ronaldinho and many more brillant players), had just scored his famous Maradona-esque goal vs. Getafe and had 14 goals in 26 appearences for a very bad Barca side as a winger. If Mbappe keeps this level at the WC then fair enough but as of now, 19 year old Messi is ahead as a player if you ask me. No question about Ronaldo though, the guy was truly a phenomenon and the greatest talent ever for me.I think you went a bit overboard with Messi's contribution in that season. He played just over 900 minutes in the league, that means just 10 league games. I won't say he wasn't seen as a big talent, but he was just that. Playing 10 games is in no way comparable to Rooney being one of the best players in the best league in the world.
I won't say Rooney was the bigger talent cause he wasn't, but Messi was really not that big in world football as you want to present him. A non-factor at the 2006 World Cup and no big part in Barcelona's CL win meant that not many fans thought about him. I am talking about the big masses(not only english), who knew Ronaldo and Rooney since their great performances at Euros 2004 and both were regarded as great players at the 2006 WC already. Just a few people talked about Messi that year who weren't fans of Argentina or Barca. In no way comparable to what Luiz Ronaldo did when he was 18 and much less contribution then what Kylian does now, rocking the World Cup aged 19.
Right but I am just saying by no means was it 2010 when people thought of Messi as "he really can be something big". It was 2006 and then 2007 almost everyone knewMaradona also said that Rooney was better than Kaka when the latter won his Ballon D'Or. Same interview he said that the three best Argentinians were Aguero, Riquleme and Messi.
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11667/2943022/maradona-rooney-better-than-kaka
'Something big' and 'TBE' are two different things.Right but I am just saying by no means was it 2010 when people thought of Messi as "he really can be something big". It was 2006 and then 2007 almost everyone knew
I don't think doing it against Getafe is nearly as good as doing it against Argentina in a knockout game at the WC. I can't even remember a better performance from Messi at the World Cup than the one Kylian just had.Messi aged 19 finished third in the Ballon D'Or (ahead of Ronaldinho and many more brillant players), had just scored his famous Maradona-esque goal vs. Getafe and had 14 goals in 26 appearences for a very bad Barca side as a winger. If Mbappe keeps this level at the WC then fair enough but as of now, 19 year old Messi is ahead as a player if you ask me. No question about Ronaldo though, the guy was truly a phenomenon and the greatest talent ever for me.
I have no idea who that lad from La Masia was but the general consensus within the Barcelona set up was that Messi would be the best in the world. Ronaldinho even said Messi would surpass himself when Messi was 17/18I don't recall people saying that about Messi. Yes, after he scored that clone of Maradona's goal against England at WC86 people were saying that he would become the best in the world but best ever? It was more by 2010 when his fellow pros were saying 'he's an alien, a playstation player etc'.
I read an interview with a lad who came through La Masia with him but ended up playing lower levels, like a contrast of experiences piece, this lad said he never thought for one second that Messi would become the best in the world, let alone the best ever, when the were at La Masia together.
Messi has amazing technical qualities but a number of players do, what you just can't predict, ever, is that a player will be able to show their best form as consistently as Messi did. That is the rare thing.
Oriol Riera on growing up at La Masia and being Messi's roommate. "If someone told me at that time that Messi would one day be the best player in the world, we would’ve laughed and said it was false."I have no idea who that lad from La Masia was but the general consensus within the Barcelona set up was that Messi would be the best in the world. Ronaldinho even said Messi would surpass himself when Messi was 17/18
