“If I could’ve got Ronaldo sent off, I would have” - Wayne Rooney reveals what he told Cristiano Ronaldo after controversial red card in World Cup

Wayne Rooney has revealed what he told Cristiano Ronaldo after he was sent off during the 2006 World Cup quarterfinal clash between England and Portugal.

Rooney and Ronaldo were teammates at Manchester United at the time, but things got heated between the duo during the second half at Gelsenkirchen. Rooney was shown a straight red card for stamping on Ricardo Carvalho.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo appeared to play a role in Rooney's sending off. As Carvalho writhed in pain, Ronaldo stepped in and started appealing to the referee, prompting Rooney to push him backward.

The flashpoint of the incident came when television cameras caught Ronaldo winking towards the Portugal bench after Rooney's dismissal. The Portuguese superstar's gesture didn't sit well with England fans, with the incident escalating into a media storm.

Reflecting on the moment, Wayne Rooney made it clear that he held no ill feelings toward Cristiano Ronaldo and even wished him good luck after Portugal won via a penalty shootout. He said on his Wayne Rooney Show:

"I spoke to Ronaldo right after the game in the tunnel and no issue whatsoever. I just said good luck for the semi-final."

Speaking further, Rooney revealed that he himself had tried to get Ronaldo booked in the first half.

"People don’t see in the first half, I’m trying to get Ronaldo booked for diving," he added. "If I could have got Ronaldo sent off, I would have. For that game we are rivals, but once it’s over and back playing for United, it is done," he noted.

Reflecting on the incident in 2020, Rooney wrote in his column for The Times that the red card was the lowest feeling he had in football.

When Cristiano Ronaldo backed 'unique' Wayne Rooney to lead England to Euro 2016 glory

Before Euro 2016 commenced, Cristiano Ronaldo admitted it will be an emotional experience if he comes up against former teammate Wayne Rooney. Before their meeting in the 2006 World Cup, they met at Euro 2024 when Portugal defeated England on penalties in the quarterfinal.

Ronaldo told Mirror:

"A match against England would be very emotive for me - because of Wayne Rooney and because of many other things too. Roo [Rooney] is now a leader and that's not a surprise.

"I was always convinced that he would be a star for England and, inevitably, captain one day. It's a perfect role for him after the era of Beckham and Terry. For me, the character and pride of Rooney is unique - he's still very important for England."

While Wayne Rooney has since retired from the sport, Cristiano Ronaldo is still plying his trade with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League.