Lionel Messi Makes Substantial Wayne Rooney Claim, Discusses Pair's Relationship

Barcelona star Lionel Messi has described Manchester United's Wayne Rooney as "the great English player of the generation," and revealed the pair enjoy a good relationship founded on "great respect" for one another.

According to Shortlist (h/t Rob Dawson of the Manchester Evening News), the Argentinian said:

"For me Rooney is the great English player of the generation. What he’s capable of doing on the field is very special. He's one of the few players that would improve any squad in Europe. There has always been a great deal of respect between myself and Wayne Rooney."

The pair have twice met in the UEFA Champions League final, with Messi's Barca overcoming Rooney's United on both occasions in 2009 and 2011. 

The Englishman was once deemed on a par with Messi and former Red Devils team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, and he was tipped to have a similarly big future. However, compared to the two superstars, Rooney has arguably failed to achieve his true potential.

Equally, the 30-year-old may have simply been a victim of attracting a huge level of hype at such a young age—hype that produced expectations he may never have been capable of fulfilling.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

Ahead of the forward's 30th birthday in October, the Telegraph's Alistair Tweedale unfavourably compared Rooney's career with his two contemporaries, who have won countless titles and records and dominated the FIFA Ballon d'Or in recent years.

Rooney has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season, with just seven coming in the Premier League and the majority coming in a purple patch in January prior to picking up a knee injury.

Football writer Liam Canning believes the England international will actually be a hindrance to his national side upon his return:

It would seem England fans concur with him, though former footballer Ian Wright disagrees, per Fletch and Sav on Twitter:

"

⬆️ The poll surprises @IanWright0, who says @WayneRooney shouldn't be left out just because @england beat @DFB_Team. https://t.co/uossWDC8jC

— Fletch And Sav (@FletchAndSav) April 2, 2016"

Rooney has over 250 club goals to his name and 51 for England, making him the Three Lions' all-time top goalscorer, so he'll no doubt be remembered as an excellent player.

He's also got several more years left in him as well, so there's plenty of room for him to continue to rack up the goals and further silverware.

However, there's always likely to be a feeling of underachievement when it comes to Rooney, not helped by the heights Messi and Ronaldo have attained.