The term world class is rather misleading. What someone determines as world class could quite easily be completely different from another person's opinion. To call someone generally world class, surely there has to be a definitive definition. One person means 'world class' to mean a top 10 player, whereas another person means top 100. The most obvious explanation of world class is: if a team was formed, comprising of the world's best players in all of their positions from all corners of the globe, and that player would demand a starting place, then they would, and can be called, 'world class'.
If we use this system, then Wayne Rooney is on the border line – depending on the discernment of the selection panel. Namely, would Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi be the chosen front two, or would they feature elsewhere, say on the wings. Nobody seems to be doubting that, indeed, those two players are the two best players in the world, and, largely, that Messi is the better player of the two.
So, under those jurisdictions, Rooney would probably not be considered as world class. However, in a world where it seems that only forward players are ever considered as the best players in the world, which is baffling in itself as it is a team game and Messi cannot score without somebody, somewhere passing him the ball at one time or another, defenders are never considered which leads to a completely convoluted list of forward players as the best players, who, normally, are only vying for one or two positions.
What has to be the defining factor, in my opinion, is form. Nobody is trying to say that Ronaldinho is the world's best player. He is still playing, and at one point he was 'world class', and the world's best. So, on form, is Rooney world class?
Certainly in the 09/10 season, where Manchester United reached the semi finals of the FA cup, final of the Champions League and won the league, with Rooney as their talisman, he was world class. And, judging by his start to this season, he is on target to reach those career heights once again. Rooney hit 34 goals in 44 appearances during the 09/10 season. He hasn't since, or prior to that, reached anywhere near those goal ratios before but, it is fair to say, he was never the focal point of the team before that season.
On top of that, assists and overall influence have to be considered and United's record with Rooney in the team is far superior to the record without him.
If, at the end of all this debate, we decide that to be 'world class' your reputation has to make you one of the top 10 most coveted players in world football, then Rooney would certainly make that list. The simple fact of the matter is, Rooney is the best player that England have, can win games on his own at times and is a joy to watch.
It's just a little disheartening as an ardent England fan that it seems the main preoccupation of England fans is to belittle and desecrate our best players, of which, Rooney is certainly the best. He may not be Messi but he's certainly within that class of players, and isn't that good enough?
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