Rooney: CR7 is Simply the Best!

ENGLAND- Rooney Backs CR7 for Ballon D'or

Wayne Rooney believes Cristiano Ronaldo has displaced Lionel Messi to become the finest footballer in the world and backed his former Manchester United teammate to retain the Ballon d'Or.

CR7 has been backed by his former teammate to lift the Ballon d'Or  for the 2nd consecutive time

Ronaldo, who is Portugal's 51-goal record scorer, has struck 274 goals in 262 games for Real Madrid since joining them from United for a then world record fee of 80 million pounds in 2009. Current Ballon d'Or holder Ronaldo heads a 23 man shortlist for this year's award and has scored 22 goals in 16 games so far this season.

Asked by MUTV if he expected Ronaldo to retain the award, Rooney replied: "I think so. I'm sure it'll be difficult to give it to anyone else."