Wayne Rooney is a "once in a generation player" according to Lionel Messi

Messi hails Rooney as a winner after the Manchester United striker broke Sir Boby Charlton’s goal scoring record

Wayne Rooney has been hailed as a ‘once in a generation player’ by Lionel Messi after his goal against Switzerland in England’s Euro 2016 qualifier made him the country’s all-time leading goal scorer.

The Manchester United striker eclipsed the legendary Sir Bobby Charlton’s 45-year record in his 107th international game with a penalty in the 84th minute, helping his side to a convincing 2-0 win.

The three-time Ballon d'Or Winner, who scored a late goal to save Argentina from a friendly defeat against Mexico, did not seem to hold back his praise for Rooney whatsoever. He also spoke about Rooney being one of those ‘special players’ who cannot be compared to anyone else.

"Wayne Rooney is for me a once in a generation player. One of those special players, who is not comparable to any other," Messi said, as quoted on The Mirror. "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.”

Team comes first and personal records second for Rooney, says Messi

Messi hasn't won a major international trophy with his national side despite aiding his team to two finals in the past year, losing both the World Cup final to Germany and the 2015 Copa America final to Chile. He has scored 49 goals in 105 appearances on the international stage since making his debut in 2005 and needs just eight goals to overtake the current top scorer and former Albiceleste striker Gabriel Batistuta, who has 56 to his name.

He compared himself to Rooney while talking about success on the international stage, saying: "Rooney is a winner. He will just be focused on success with England in the European Championship. I have always said the same is true of myself and Argentina -- breaking caps and goals records mean nothing unless they come with trophies."

“Like I say, Wayne is a winner. It will always be the team first and personal records second,” he added.

Rooney had also spoken about a similar topic before taking part in the Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland. He said that has not given up on his hope of leading England to glory in Russia in 2018 while also claiming that Messi is a better player than Maradona.

“Up to a couple of years ago, people were saying Messi wasn’t Maradona because he hadn’t won the World Cup. In my mind, Messi is a better player than Maradona. But that’s how football is.” he said.“It’s about trophies you win. As a team, that’s how you’re judged. Sir Bobby did that. Hopefully, there’s still time for me to be successful like that.”