Messi hails record-breaking Rooney as `once in a generation` player

London, Sept. 10 : Barcelona striker Lionel Messi has lavished praise on England record-breaker Wayne Rooney, saying the latter is a ‘once in a generation player’.

Describing Rooney as a ‘winner’, the 28-year-old insisted that although there were many special players, nobody was like the England captain.

The UEFA’s best player of the season further said that Rooney was one of the strongest player he had faced, adding that the Manchester United striker has exceptional quality and technical ability, the Mirror reported.

Earlier in the week, Rooney surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton’s all-time goal scoring record of England after scoring his 50th international goal in the Euro 2016 qualifier against Switzerland. (ANI)