Ancelotti hails Rooney as world's best, and he may just be right

24 years of age and still improving by the day. Wayne Rooney has fast made a name for himself since making a storming introduction to English Football back in 2002, announcing himself as England’s brightest young talent with a fantastic strike against Arsenal at Goodison Park. Then just 16 years old, he was tipped to become one of England’s best, and now it’s time to question that prediction as he finds himself in the best form of his career.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has come out and made the bold statement that Rooney is currently the best player on the planet. That’s some praise. Pele, Maradona, Best, Ronaldo, Henry, Ronaldinho, Messi… The list of players who have received such accalades goes on, and one gets the feeling that Rooney isn’t about to stop here.

The Manchester United number 10 has scored 17 goals in the Premier League this campaign, including 4 against Hull City at Old Trafford, and has played a major part in United’s battle for the title. For Ancelotti, there’s none better:

At this moment he is the best in the world. Manchester are using Rooney very well right now. He improves his quality with every game and I am surprised his level never drops. Instead he always improves his performance.

Many have said that Rooney is the ‘complete’ player, and the stats suggest that may be true. 86 goals in 181 Manchester United games, to go with 15 for Everton, and a ratio of almost a goal every 2 games for the National side make him the most lethal marksman in English Football right now, and potentially the world. So what about Messi and co? Is Rooney really better than Barcelona’s most precious asset?

Messi is two years younger than Rooney, so there’s an argument to say that Messi has more time to improve than Rooney. Messi’s goal per game ratio is better than Rooney’s, as is his assists per game ratio. But Messi has never played in England, and for me that could be the deciding factor. Could Messi adjust to the vastly different style of the Premier League, and would Rooney be as affective, if not more in the Spanish League? Those are all things that we may not ever get to witness, and can only speculate about.

Perhaps Ancelotti’s statement is a little too premature, but at this moment in time you would have to agree that Rooney is right up there with the best. The key for him is to stay fit and consistent, and with so much time left in his fledgling career, there’s plenty more of Wayne Rooney to watch. One thing is for certain, best player in the world or not, he will be an influential figure at this year’s world cup, and the catalyst for any success Manchester United experience in the next 10 years or so, providing he stays at Old Trafford.