Rooney calls Cristiano a 'true genius'

Wayne Rooney has publicly addressed and denied rumors that he dislikes Cristiano Ronaldo, instead expressing high praise for his former teammate during an interview on Rio Ferdinand's podcast. Rooney described Ronaldo as a "true genius" and commended his incredible achievements.

Rooney and Ronaldo played together at Manchester United from 2004 to 2009 under Sir Alex Ferguson, winning three Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy. Their partnership was highly successful and left a lasting impact on the club's history, despite a controversial incident at the 2006 World Cup where Ronaldo was involved in Rooney's red card.

Rooney clarified that his personal preference for Lionel Messi's playing style, particularly Messi's ease in dribbling, was not meant to diminish Ronaldo. He emphasized that he loves Ronaldo and admires his unbelievable skills, noting Ronaldo's killer instinct and exceptional performance even at the age of 40.