Wayne Rooney rates Messi better than Maradona

England captain thinks people rate players higher who have won World Cup

England football team captain Wayne Rooney considers Argentinian forward Lionel Messi to be a better player than the majestic Diego Maradona.

"Up to a couple of years ago, people were saying Messi wasn't Maradona because he hadn't won the World Cup,” said Rooney.

“In my mind, Messi is a better player than Maradona. But that's how football is," said Rooney, as quoted by goal.com on Friday.

Rooney also compared himself to the Barcelona star by saying that to achieve greatness like Sir Bobby Charlton he will have to add a World Cup medal to his trophy cabinet.

The 29-year-old is ready to break Charlton’s 45-year standing record of 49 goals for England if he can manage two goals against San Marino today. A win can also boos the English side towards securing their place in the Euro 2016.

The Manchester United star is also hopeful that he will try his best to bring the 2018 World Cup trophy home. The event is scheduled to be held in Russia.

"It's about trophies you win. As a team, that's how you're judged. Sir Bobby did that. Hopefully there's still time for me to be successful like that," said Rooney.