World class is a term that means too many different things to too many different people.
Wayne Rooney has for the last few seasons been a notch below the very best footballers, but this season seems to be a turning point in his coming-of-age.
These last few years, his overall game was maturing and becoming a more composed, controlled one, but was lacking spark and genius which made him the worlds best young footballer 6 years back. And given the fact that he wasn't really scoring as many as he should or could, it mean't he was fine player and great in terms of influence and football brain, but nowhere near his potential in terms of sheer class.
Now, he seems to have realized the goalscorer within, one that we all knew he had, and although he still misses simple chances, his ability to get into those positions always deserved him to be a very good goalscorer. And it's finally happening, he has this season regularly won us football matches.
He's gotten better at heading the ball and imposing himself against defenders and more intelligent with his runs. So as a striker, he has improved immensely this season.
And even on the 'class' front, he's taken a few big strides. Whereas before the last two months one would be hard pressed to find 5 moments of brilliance from him in the whole year before, in these two months alone there have probably been twice that many.
The first City goal leaves me absolutely speechless. The astounding brilliance of the pass makes to forget about the fact that the touch to get into a position to do so was always excellent. That was pure genius. And hopefully a sign of things to come. Rooney has the potential to be one of the most complete footballers in world football, probably THE most. And if that happens, there are definitely good times ahead.