Rooney: Leo would find it tough here
MANCHESTER UNITED striker Wayne Rooney believes it would be hard for his side’s Champions League final nemesis Lionel Messi to prosper in the Premier League in the same way he does in La Liga for Barcelona.
Messi orchestrated United’s demise on Saturday at Wembley scoring the second goal, his 53rd of the season in all competitions, in a 3-1 win which helped Barcelona claim their second European crown in three season’s at the Old Trafford club’s expense.
Asked if Messi could dictate games in the England as he does in Spain, Rooney, who is suspended from England’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Switzerland on Saturday, said: “If you bring Xavi and Iniesta with him, yes. But it would be difficult, almost impossible for him to play as he does in Spain.
“The game is more physical here, going to the likes of Birmingham and Stoke away is very demanding. Cristiano Ronaldo is more suited to the English game than Messi. Cristiano is taller and good in the air.”
On defeat in the showpiece Wembley final Rooney said: “It hurt. I watched the game again because you can always learn by watching football. It was very disappointing but you have to put your hands up and say they were the better team.
“They are simply fantastic, a very special side. That’s the level we want to be at and we have to up our game.”