Lionel Messi has already named the British player he felt would’ve thrived in La Liga during his time at Barcelona – and it’s not Steven Gerrard.
Messi, 37, is widely considered to be La Liga, Barcelona and arguably football’s greatest-ever player – although Cristiano Ronaldo may have something to say about that.
During his 873 matches for the Catalan club, the Argentina registered 709 goals which helped Barca to ten La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey triumphs, and four Champions League crowns.
Of course, Messi was helped by a supporting cast of Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Sergio Busquets and several others at the Camp Nou.
And despite never playing in the Premier League, he often faced British opposition in the Champions League.
But which British player did he think would cope best with Spanish football’s technical style of play?
Messi made his feelings clear during an interview with Shortlist back in 2015.
“[Wayne] Rooney has exceptional quality,” Messi said when asked which British player would thrive in La Liga.
“Not just great technical ability, but also works very hard for his team. I’m sure Manchester United will never want to let him leave, though.”
And Messi was proven wrong, as Rooney did leave Man United in 2017 when he returned to his boyhood club Everton before spells at D.C United and Derby followed.
This was not the first time Messi praised the former England international and even dubbed him as “once-in-a-generation talent” back in 2015.
Rooney challenges Messi during the 2009 Champions League final (Credit:Getty)
“Wayne Rooney is for me a once-in-a-generation player,” Messi told the Mirror. “One of those special players, who is not comparable to any other.
“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.”
“I have always said the same is true of myself and Argentina — breaking caps and goals records mean nothing unless they come with trophies,” Messi added. “Like I say, Wayne is a winner. It will always be the team first and personal records second.”
Wayne Rooney settles Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo GOAT debate
Rooney has also given his thoughts on the GOAT debate between his former Man Utd teammate Ronaldo and Messi.
Speaking on The Overlap, brought to you by Sky Bet, in May 2024, he described both players as “incredible”.
“I understand that people can say Messi, people can say Ronaldo – they are both incredible, probably the best two players to ever play the game,” said Rooney.
Rooney gave an updated take on the GOAT debate when playing a game of ‘winner stays on’ via Prime Video.
When asked “Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?” he quickly answered “Lionel Messi”.
“For me, Messi has just got that little bit more flair, which I like in a player, so that’s the reason,” he added.
