Lionel Messi better than Cristiano Ronaldo and would win seventh Ballon d’Or at Man United or Man City, Wayne Rooney believes

Wayne Rooney would love to see Lionel Messi in the Premier League – even if it is to join Manchester City.

The top scoring Barcelona star told his club he wants to leave and has been linked with both Manchester United and City, as well as Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.

Time and again Messi has proven himself the best in the world and would shine in England if he moved to the Premier League

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And Man United legend Rooney would not mind Messi his old club’s rivals – who are the favourites to land him – if it meant him coming to England.

“I know he’s getting older but he’s a player who no one has seen before,” he told talkSPORT in an exclusive chat on Thursday morning.

“Messi has everything – he can create goals, score goals, dictate the game and is the best player of all time.

“He’s one of the only players I’ve sat there and watched and been in awe.”

Messi and Ronaldo have a professional rivalry for the tag of the game’s greatest ever player

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Considering Rooney played with Cristiano Ronaldo at Man United for six years that is some statement.

“Him and Cristiano Ronaldo have set a standard which I don’t think we will ever see again but, for me, Messi is just different level.”

Rooney also believes Messi should not be looking at MLS or the Chinese Super League for his next club.

“The United States shouldn’t be in his mind because he’s too good,” he added.

“He could come to the Premier League and be a Player of the Year. One million per cent.

“If he surrounds himself with Bruno Fernandes or Kevin De Bruyne he could win a seventh Ballon d’Or, which would be incredible.”

Rooney blossomed on the pitch with Ronaldo during their days at Old Trafford but believes Messi is on another level to everyone

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Rooney’s comments echo those of Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend, who told talkSPORT it would be an honour to share the pitch with him.

“It would be incredible for a player like myself to say he shared a pitch with Lionel Messi. It’s the stuff you tell your kids and your grandkids.

“If it is true and if he does want to come to the Premier League, it would be incredible for not only the Premier League but for every player who hasn’t shared the pitch with him to get that honour.

“Every single game he’d have six or seven players man-marking him!”

Messi has scored 634 goals for Barcelona, the only club he has played for in his professional career, having been there since he was 13.

Barca will want a fee for their talisman, but the player is hoping to leave for free and City are in pole position to sign him.

However, his contract will be tricky to get around.

According to Football Leaks, Messi earns a basic yearly wage of £54m-a-year and close to £1m-a-week.

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