Rooney thinks his former teammate is the best in the world.
Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has received backing from former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney to retain the prestigious Ballon d’Or trophy this year.
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Ronaldo won the gong last year after another impressive season with Madrid and also essentially single-handedly getting Portugal to the 2014 World Cup via the playoffs.
Rooney played with the 29-year-old for five years between 2004 and 2009 and the pair developed a strong bond, despite the fact the latter appeared to wink after the England international was sent off at the 2006 World Cup.
“I think so,” the Red Devils captain told the club’s website after asking whether Ronaldo would win the Ballon d’Or again.
“He’s had an incredible two or three years and I think he 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.”
If Ronaldo were to triumph it would be the third time the Portugal skipper has achieved the feat in his career, with the forward also lifting the prize in 2008 after a successful 12 months with United.
FC Barcelona ace Lionel Messi then went onto win the Ballon d’Or for a record four successive years between 2009 and 2012 before the Portuguese star came back in 2013.
It looks as if the Ronldo/Messi stranglehold on the gong will stretch to seven years, with Kaka the last player not among the duo to win.