Berbatov - Roo is world's best

Bulgarian rates Rooney ahead of Messi, Ronaldo and Kaka

By Jamie Casey   Last updated: 15th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Berbatov - Roo is world's best

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Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov claims team-mate Wayne Rooney is currently the best player on the planet.

The England striker, 24, has been in sensational form this season, with his brace in the 3-0 win against Fulham on Sunday taking his tally to 32 goals in all competitions.

Current Fifa World Player of the Year Lionel Messi hit the headlines with a hat-trick for Barcelona this weekend, but Berbatov is in no doubt who he rates as the world's best.

"At the moment he (Rooney) is the best in the world," said Berbatov. "He is still so young and has the chance to be even greater.

"Like I have told him many times, he just needs to stay healthy and he can achieve everything."

Champions

Rooney's season is being compared to Cristiano Ronaldo's phenomenal 42-goal haul in 2007/08, and Berbatov is backing Rooney to likewise smash the 40-goal barrier.

"Wayne can go over 40 because there are plenty of games left in the season," added the Bulgarian. "I wish him luck and we are all going to help him to over the 40 mark."

Berbatov has been living in Rooney's shade this term but entered double figures with his 10th goal of the season against the Cottagers.

However, the 29-year-old insists getting the points to top the Premier League table is much more important than individual goal tallies and he is happy to continue providing assists.

"If we win it doesn't matter who scores for me as long as we are champions in the end," said Berbatov, a club record £30.75million buy from Tottenham in 2008.

"I try to assist more. In fact I preferred the second assist I gave to Wayne (against Fulham). That is sometimes better than scoring."

Comments (13)

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Matthew Joyce (Arsenal fan) says...

Jumping the gun a bit with world player of the year stuff. After the world cup you can say who will win. If Kaka banged two goals in the final he'd win it! See cannavaro, crap all year, won the world cup and wins it!

Posted 16:14 15th March 2010

Eoghan O' sullivan (Barcelona fan) says...

Your having a laugh.... do people not see the goals Messi gets in comparison... incredible goals... rounds three lads, turns at pace at the drop of a hat... Rooney is good, but Messi is better, simple as that..

Posted 15:14 15th March 2010

James Mccormick (Liverpool fan) says...

I think all these united fans are dillusional. Have they all forgotten about the world's best player Lionel Messi??!! Messi has only scored a few less than rooney yet he has done this from a wide position and played less games. Also, he has assisted alot more than him. With reference to ronaldo, he also made his haul from out wide so even if rooney makes that target it doesnt have the same merit. Could Wayne Rooney really score all these goals from his previous position last season? Sorry United fans but the answer is no. Also, Drogba is only a few behind rooney yet he went to the ACN for a month. Anybody find it a coincidence that the England wonderboy is being hyped up so much and the Drog is forgotten, or Ronaldo for that matter( 22 goals in 23 games i think)???!!!! England are in for a shock in the WC when he cant do it for his country!! Goodluck

Posted 14:27 15th March 2010

Dean F (Manchester United fan) says...

must agree with Brandon,berbatov has great control of the ball and awareness,alot is expected of him because of his price tag,but look at the ammount of goals rooney has scored. rooney is been picked over berbatov all the time cause he is in unreal form. u can see on berbatovs face when he misses chances it gets at him and so it should cause he is showing his commitment and determination to score and play well.10 goals so far for him really isn't that bad alongside rooneys 32.

Posted 14:19 15th March 2010

Dave Jones (Manchester United fan) says...

Got to say it does frustrate me sometimes when Berba does get back quickly to defend but I do recognise his support for the team. Its the team that matters and Wayne knows this better than anyone which is why we love him so much. He is the best in the world today and its makes you wonder whether Ronaldo would have got the high level of plaudits had he been anywhere else.

Posted 14:05 15th March 2010

Daniel Bayley (Manchester United fan) says...

100% agree with Brandon. It's about time Berbatov got some credit! A lot of fans seem to be either blind or stupid. If he was honestly bad he wouldn't be playing in a red shirt would he? Fergie wouldn't pick him! He is a class act. The same goes for Fletcher, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Ji Sung Park & now Nani as well which is extra pleasing. I don't even need to mention Rooney!

Posted 13:36 15th March 2010

Brandon Bischoff (Manchester United fan) says...

Bervatov gets criticized way to much for the amount of skill and vision he has blessed United with. I will admit that he needs to score more and if he leaves United that would be the reason. BUT he is an amazing player who is involved in almost every goal that United score, By either assisting or creating space and through balls for the wings to pop up to Rooney or whoever scores. He needs more credit from United fans then he is getting, people just look at goals, not the whole performance

Posted 13:04 15th March 2010

Kagiso clinton Manthe (Manchester United fan) says...

we share the same sentiments Mr Berbatov......

Posted 12:55 15th March 2010

Tom Bucko (Manchester United fan) says...

Rooney is absolutely brilliant! Berba has the right idea about team performance than a single player. United for the League!!

Posted 12:53 15th March 2010

Luke O'neill (Manchester United fan) says...

This just shows how unselfish a player Berbatov is. When you look at the problems Real Madrid have had with their superstar line up it's good to see some players who are happier to pass the ball and get the win than to try and impress with a goal they may not actually get. You can't say there's a more sure fire striker in the world at the moment than Wayne Rooney and if Berbatov wants to keep getin them across to Rooney, I'm one fan who won't call him Lazy or say his goals tally isn't good enough. Rooney can't score all these goals without good support and you can't but a price on team mates who provide the right pass at the right time.

Posted 12:50 15th March 2010

Michael Edwards (Manchester United fan) says...

I agree with berba, his second assist was better than his goal. It was a vital cushion and a piece of play that not many people in the premier league can do! Well done berba.

Posted 12:45 15th March 2010

Ben Luk (Manchester United fan) says...

Roo, when you are up, always keep yourself humble . Things going up will come down. However, to be humbled will make you have vast area to develop and not to arrive at the peak so soon. Wish you good luck

Posted 12:35 15th March 2010

Paul Newman (Manchester United fan) says...

Rooney has always been seen as a great player since he was in Everton's youth team, hence the money that was spent on him. But the main thing that seperates him from Ronnie and Messi (and a number of past WPY winners) is that he is a 100% team player. He defends, he offloads the ball quickly, he runs further than a marathon runner and he would probably go in goal if asked. So the question is, what do you look for in a player? someone with boundless individual talent? or someone that provides the best possible chance for the team to win? now Real are out of the Champs League, Ronaldo is out of contention for World Player, so its Rooney Vs Messi and I think Rooney has the edge so far... lets see what happens in the Champs League, if Utd make the final and Rooney continues with his form, he MUST be the first English World Player of the Year.... shouldnt he?

Posted 12:25 15th March 2010
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