Wayne Rooney: “I watched Messi in the Club World Cup and I was truly shocked…”

In a statement that has sent shockwaves through the footballing world, Wayne Rooney, one of England’s most respected legends, has voiced what many fans have been thinking but haven’t dared to say aloud. Watching Lionel Messi in the Club World Cup, Rooney was left stunned—not just by the Argentine’s unmatched talent, but by what he called a “shocking misuse” of the greatest player in history.

“I watched Messi in the Club World Cup and I was truly shocked,” Rooney began, his tone more emotional than critical. “How can a 38-year-old man play with such intelligence, such strength, and such genius?” he asked. And the answer, of course, lies in the very essence of who Lionel Messi is. Age may catch up with legs, but not with brilliance. Not with vision. Not with the ability to read the game ten steps ahead of anyone else.

For Rooney, who battled against Messi at the peak of his career, watching the Argentine still dominating at such a high level wasn’t just impressive—it was almost mystical. “He is still the best player in the world. This is not an opinion, it is an absolute fact,” he declared, dismissing any debates about emerging stars or fading legends.

But beyond admiration, Rooney expressed deep frustration. And it wasn’t aimed at Messi—it was at the environment surrounding him. “What I see is a legend like Messi being wasted among players who do not even understand the basics of playing with him,” he said. The tone shifted from admiration to concern, and rightfully so. For Rooney, seeing Messi surrounded by teammates who don’t rise to his level is nothing short of tragic.

The Argentine maestro, now playing in MLS with Inter Miami, still demonstrates brilliance every time he touches the ball. He makes, scores, passes, and controls matches like an orchestra conductor. And yet, as Rooney puts it, it often looks like Messi is “playing with children.” His passes are misunderstood, his movements uncomplemented, and his genius left hanging in moments that should have been magic.

“This is a great injustice to football,” Rooney said bluntly. It’s not about disrespect to the MLS—it’s about doing justice to Messi’s final years as a professional footballer. Fans around the world grew up watching him perform miracles for Barcelona. And now, at 38, he’s still capable of those same miracles, but in a setting that can’t always keep up with his rhythm.

“Messi deserves to play at the highest level with players who understand his value,” Rooney added. He named the likes of Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Raphinha at Barcelona—players who grew up idolizing Messi and could complement his game with both intelligence and reverence. Imagine a forward line with Yamal stretching the wings, Pedri orchestrating in midfield, and Messi floating like a shadow between defenders. That’s where football reaches poetry.

For Rooney, the solution is clear: “Barcelona is your home, Leo.” He’s not alone. Millions of fans across the globe echo that sentiment. The club where Messi became a legend, the city that saw him grow from a boy into a god of the game—it’s where he belongs.

The passionate call didn’t stop there. Rooney made a tongue-in-cheek but telling remark about MLS co-owner David Beckham: “If I were a sports director in Europe, I would have stormed Beckham’s office myself to bring him back.” It’s a message wrapped in humor but grounded in sincerity. Football’s biggest names recognize Messi’s worth. So why aren’t clubs acting on it?

Rooney also touched on Messi’s humility—a trait that has made the Argentine so beloved across borders and generations. “I know Messi, he is very humble and will never complain,” Rooney noted. And therein lies the irony. Messi would never demand a better team. He would never throw his teammates under the bus. He’ll carry the burden, score the goals, create the assists, and let the criticism fall on him in silence.

“But we – football fans – must demand the best for him,” Rooney insisted. That’s the mission now. It’s not just about nostalgia or romance. It’s about preserving the legacy of the greatest footballer to ever live. It’s about giving him a platform where his final years can still inspire, still create, and still mesmerize.

Because Messi doesn’t deserve a quiet fade into retirement. He deserves one last dance at the pinnacle of European football. A farewell tour with the Camp Nou crowd roaring. A Champions League knockout night with lights, pressure, and Messi walking out of the tunnel with that smirk we all know.

Rooney’s statement is more than a quote—it’s a wake-up call. To Barcelona. To European football. To fans. To directors. Bring Messi home. Let the genius return to where it all began. Let the world enjoy him one last time before the curtain falls.

This isn’t about marketing. This isn’t about merchandise. This is about respect. About giving back to a man who gave the game everything.

Football owes Lionel Messi. And Rooney, with courage and clarity, just reminded the world of that debt.