Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney feels that Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has overtaken Barcelona's Lionel Messi as the world's best footballer, insisting that the Portuguese again deserves to win the Ballon d'Or accolade.
Ronaldo, who has won the accolade in 2008 and 2013, is again expected to win the award this season as he was in excellent form last season, helping Real Madrid win the Copa Del Rey and the Champions League by scoring 51 goals in 47 appearances in all competitions for the club.
Apart from that, the former Manchester United winger has already netted 22 goals in 16 games in all competitions for Real Madrid this season.
Messi, who won the best player award for four straight years from 2009 to 2012, has also been nominated following his good performances with Barcelona last season, where he managed to net 41 goals from 46 appearances in all competitions.
But Rooney is certain that the 2014 Ballon d'Or will go to his former Manchester United team-mate.
"He's had an incredible two or three years and I think he [Ronaldo] has certainly overtaken Lionel Messi now as the best player in the world. I'm sure it'll be difficult to give it to anyone else," Rooney told MUTV.
Meanwhile, Barcelona boss Luis Enrique does not seem to agree with Rooney's view as he believes that Messi is still the best player in the world.
The 27-year-old Argentine recently equalled former Real Madrid striker Raul's all-time Champions League record of 71 goals, following his brace during Barcelona's 2-0 win over Ajax on Wednesday.
While Raul took 142 Champions League games to score 71 goals, the Argentine did it in just 90 outings.
And Enrique insists that Messi is by far the best player he has ever seen.
"Messi is without doubt the best player I've seen as a player and a coach," said Enrique, according to BBC news.
Ronaldo, who broke the record for highest number of goals in a single Champions League campaign last season, is currently third on the list of all time scores in the European competition with 70 goals in 107 fixtures.
