Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has never been shy about expressing his feelings.
The ex-player and coach has backed his claims multiple times that Lionel Messi is the better player than Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo has frequently hit out at Rooney, with the former teammates going back and forth with each other.
Rooney and Ronaldo spent five seasons together at United, with Rooney now aiming to end the feud with his ex-teammate.
What did Rooney say his thoughts on Ronaldo are?
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents, Rooney clarified his feelings on his former teammate, with many fans presuming the pair dislike each other.
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Rooney said, "People think I hate him! I love him! I think he's an absolute genius; what he's doing is incredible. I don't think people realize how close he and I were."
Rooney went on to discuss his stance on the Ronaldo versus Messi debate, saying, "Just because I've said Messi is better than Ronaldo, people think I don't like Cristiano. What he's doing.
"To be honest, over the last couple of years, I'm thinking, 'Do you know what?', he's probably gonna be the one when you look back, Cristiano, because he keeps going.
"I think these last three seasons he's the top goalscorer in Saudi [Arabia] and whatever.
"I absolutely love Messi, I love watching him play, and that was the only reason because I think Messi had a little bit more in terms of how he played, and taking players on."
"Ronaldo's a killer. People think because I've said Messi is better than Ronaldo, that I don't like him or I speak down on him. [I prefer the way Messi plays], that's it - you might prefer Cristiano, this person might prefer Messi or Ronaldo, but I don't think you can argue with any of them two.
"I just like the little flair about Messi, and that's it.
"Cristiano's an absolute genius in what he's doing; he's just turned 40, and what he's doing is incredible."
Cristiano Ronaldo news and related links
- Why Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t play in Al Nassr’s big win as manager breaks silence
- Harry Kane smashes David Beckham's UCL record and matches Cristiano Ronaldo goal tally
- Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe becomes fastest to reach major milestone since Cristiano Ronaldo