It has been reported that Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has praised England’s Wayne Rooney after the Manchester United striker netted his record-breaking 50th goal for the Three Lions on Tuesday.
Rooney’s late penalty in a 2-0 win over Switzerland saw the 29-year-old surpass Sir Bobby Charlton as England’s all-time leading goal-scorer.
The impressive feat also caught the attention of Messi, who labelled Rooney a ‘once in a generation player’.
“Wayne Rooney is for me a once in a generation player. One of those special players, who is not comparable to any other,” Messi said.
“There are many special players, but Rooney has exceptional quality and technical ability as well as being one of the strongest players I have faced with an exceptional work rate – there is nobody like him.
“Rooney is a winner. He will just be focused on success with England in the European Championship.
“I have always said the same is true of myself and Argentina — breaking caps and goals records mean nothing unless they come with trophies. Like I say, Wayne is a winner. It will always be the team first and personal records second.”