Manchester Utd: Wayne Rooney is not world class - Joey Barton Comments (382) Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney lacks the mentality to become a world-class player, says Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton. Rooney, 28, recently signed a new contract that puts him among the highest-paid players in football. But Barton told BBC Radio 5 live that Rooneys mental approach leaves him behind the worlds best on the pitch. Rooney is world class - potentially - but his mentality is the polar opposite to Cristiano Ronaldos, Barton said. The 31-year-old added: Why is Ronaldo a Ballon dOr winner and Rooney isnt? Players who have worked with both say the level of discipline Ronaldo has is the reason he is where he is. Ronaldo, 29, scored his 14th Champions League goal of the season to equal a record set by Barcelonas Lionel Messi as Real Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund 3-0 in their Champions League quarter-final first leg at home on Wednesday. Rooney scored his 17th of the campaign in all competitions with a brace as United beat Aston Villa 4-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday. When you see Rooney smoking cigarettes, Barton continued, is he doing everything he can to be the best player in the world? The gulf is getting wider. The former Newcastle, Manchester City and Marseille player later tweeted: I would have to argue that he has not been better since he broke on the scene at Everton. For me that is when he stopped developing. Barton was speaking to Sir Clive Woodward in a 5 live programme Sir Clive Woodward Meets to be broadcast at 19.30 BST on Thursday 3 April.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Apr 2014 11:59:18 +0000
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