Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were two of Manchester United’s brightest stars during the team’s golden era. They joined the team around the same time, with Ronaldo signing in 2003 and Rooney in 2004. Both players quickly became exceptional talents, with Rooney becoming the team’s all-time leading goal-scorer and Ronaldo winning a prestigious Ballon d’Or award during his six years at United.
A Fun and Playful Partnership
During their five seasons together at Old Trafford, Ronaldo and Rooney were known for their chemistry on and off the pitch. They led games together and even played pranks on their coach, Sir Alex Ferguson, and their more severe teammates.
Cristiano Ronaldo: The 2006 World Cup
However, their friendship experienced ups and downs. One incident that caused tension was during the 2006 World Cup quarter-final between England and Portugal. Rooney, who was 20 years old at the time, was sent off the field after stamping on a defender’s groin. Ronaldo tried to protest the decision, which made Rooney angry, so he pushed Ronaldo. Ronaldo then winked at the bench, which made things even more heated.
The End of an Era
Ronaldo’s record move to Real Madrid in 2009 marked the end of their time playing together and their friendship. Despite their ups and downs, Ronaldo and Rooney will always be remembered as two of Manchester United’s greatest players.
