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Wayne Rooney of Manchester United clashes with Joey Barton of Queens Park Rangers during the Barclays Premier League match.
According to Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton, Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney is not a world-class player, and has failed to fulfill his potential due to his poor mentality.
“Look at his approach and mentality compared to Cristiano Ronaldo’s. Polar opposites,” he revealed in an interview to BBC Radio 5 live. “Rooney potentially, could have been world class. But why is Ronaldo a Ballon d’Or winner and Rooney isn’t?
“Players who have worked with both say the level of discipline Ronaldo has is the reason he is the best player in the world. When you see Rooney smoking cigarettes, is he doing everything he can to be the best player in the world? The gulf is getting wider but if it was on talent alone, Rooney is a better player than him.”
When asked about England’s chances in the upcoming 2014 FIFA Brazil World Cup, Barton feels that they have very little chances to triumph in the competition.
“Our players aren’t world class”, he said while looking at England’s World Cup chances. “No-one believes we can win it – the manager, the media, the players.”
Post the interview, he went on to explain his comments through his twitter account @Joey7Barton.
“Now shall I tell you what World Class is for me. [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Lionel] Messi. [Andres] Iniesta and [Luis] Suarez. WC [World-class] is a term thrown about far too often. Maybe Wayne was has been in WC bracket before. I would have to say now he isn’t.”
“Why? Well it isn’t for the lack of talent IMO [in my opinion.] I would have to argue that he has not been better since he broke on the scene at Everton. For me thats when he stopped developing or just.. afterwards. As I say, he is a top player. My favourite of the current bunch. Love watching him. Old school. But not World Class IMO.”
