Lionel Messi is 'the best ever' soccer player, Wayne Rooney says
Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney has spoken of his admiration for Barcelona star Lionel Messi, whom he described as the best player in the history of the game, Goal.com reported.
The Argentina international inspired Barca to a 7-1 Champions League victory against Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of their last-16 tie on Wednesday with a jaw-dropping performance, scoring five of his club's goals.
"Messi is a joke," Rooney wrote on his Twitter page after the Barcelona man scored his fourth goal of the night. "For me the best ever."
Messi, who became the first player ever to score five goals in a singe Champions League match, is joint sixth with Real Madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano in the competition's list of all-time top scorers, with 49 strikes.