Wayne Rooney: When Man United Legend Made Interesting Remark on Mbappe, Haaland Amid Messi v Ronaldo Debate

• Wayne Rooney believes Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are better players than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo
• However, the former striker cast doubt that the young duo could replicate what the older duo had done over the years
• Mbappe claimed the Golden Boot at the Qatar World Cup while Haaland continues to smash Premier League records

Wayne Rooney has sent a stark warning to Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe, as the young duo aim to take over the decades-long long rivalry between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Mbappe and Haaland are seen as the next possible players to take over the helm of football as Messi and Ronaldo reach the tail-end of their careers.

The French star is widely seen as the most probable candidate, with the 24-year-old already having a World Cup title under his belt.

Last year, after La Albiceleste claimed the FIFA World Cup title, Rooney stated that Mbappe and Haaland were ahead of Messi and Ronaldo at the moment as far as current form is concerned.

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The Manchester United legend was, however, quick to note that it will take a whole lot more for the young duo to replicate what the two veterans have done over the years.

"Haaland and Mbappe, of course, the next two, at this moment of time, they are obviously better than Messi and Ronaldo. But for them to emulate the career that Messi and Ronaldo have had, I can’t see it like, I can’t see," he said, as quoted by Sportskeeda.

Rooney added that what Messi and Ronaldo had achieved was unique to the world of football.

"For Messi and Ronaldo to do it at the same time in the same league for a long time, I don’t think we’ll see that again."

How true are Rooney's comments?

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Rooney's comments are valid, given that Ronaldo left for the Middle East after the World Cup after falling out with Erik ten Hag. Despite having a brilliant World Cup run, Messi has struggled to replicate those standards at Paris Saint-Germain.

Meanwhile, Mbappe recently became PSG's all-time top scorer at 24, while Haaland is on course to win the Premier League's Golden Boot in his maiden season in England.

On who is better between Messi and Ronaldo, Rooney courted controversy by his former Man United teammate, declaring the Argentine as the best he had ever seen, as reported by TalkSport.

Ronaldinho on Messi as GOAT

In coverage related to the GOAT debate, Sports Brief reported on the legendary Ronaldinho once making controversial comments when asked about Messi's place in football history.

The Argentine veteran is often regarded as the best player ever alongside his Portuguese arch-nemesis, Ronaldo, with the two dominating every top competition for close to 15 years.

One would think that witnessing Messi's brilliance first-hand and training alongside him would have made the argument about the best footballer ever a simple one for Ronaldinho.