Interview: Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, 2010 World Cup

Wayne Rooney revealed recently that despite the fact that he and his former Manchester United team mate Cristiano Ronaldo were still in touch, he wouldn’t hesitate to attempt to face Cristiano Ronaldo as an “enemy” at the 2010 World Cup; if England and Portugal were to meet.

In an interview found on the Sky Sports website, Rooney was quoted saying:

“Cristiano is rightly the World Player of the Year and in my eyes, is still the best (player) in the world.

“I would do anything I could to try to get him off that pitch (at the 2010 World Cup), and I understand why he did it to me (in 2006).

“I spoke to him after the game (England vs Portugal in 2006). I knew what was coming and what was going to happen in the press… I said: ‘Just make sure you get your head right.’

“It was an important year for (Manchester) United and I didn’t want that to ruin our chances of challenging that year and it didn’t.

“From that night onwards, we had no problems and we’re still pals (Cristiano Ronaldo and him). We still speak regularly on the phone and he was a brilliant player for (Manchester United) United.”

Isaac Asante, Footballfantalk.com