Barton: Mentality the reason Rooney and England teammates not world class

By Peter O’ Dwyer

Joey Barton believes Wayne Rooney has not progressed much since moving to Manchester United and is not a world class player.

QPR midfielder Barton said Rooney’s mentality has prevented him from fulfilling his potential, rather than a lack of skill.

He also noted Rooney’s progress in comparison to former teammate and current Ballon d’Or holder Cristiano Ronaldo as an illustration of his point.

“Rooney could have been world class but look at his mentality compared to Cristiano Ronaldo. Polar opposites,” Barton said in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live.

“When you see Wayne Rooney smoking cigarettes, does he live his life correctly? The level of discipline he [Ronaldo] has for his chosen profession is the reason he is the best player in the world at the present time, and that Rooney isn’t.”

Barton referred to the England striker’s development since leaving Everton in a series of tweets after taking to the social network to clarify his comments.

Rooney is our best player at the moment. Put in context for me, by my definition of 'World Class', he isn't. I'm sorry thats my belief.

— Joey Barton 🇬🇧 (@Joey7Barton) April 3, 2014

Maybe Wayne was has been in WC bracket before. I would have to say now he isn't. Why? Well it isn't for the lack of talent IMO.

— Joey Barton 🇬🇧 (@Joey7Barton) April 3, 2014

I would have to argue that he has not been better since he broke on the scene at Everton. For me thats when he stopped developing or just..

— Joey Barton 🇬🇧 (@Joey7Barton) April 3, 2014

Barton also that Rooney is his favourite current English player and “infinitely better” than Barton himself – but pointed out that was not his argument.

...afterwards. As I say, he is a top player. My favourite of the current bunch. Love watching him. Old school. But not World Class IMO.

— Joey Barton 🇬🇧 (@Joey7Barton) April 3, 2014

He is infinitely better than me. That is not the debate here. But I was never World Class, so people are missing the point.

— Joey Barton 🇬🇧 (@Joey7Barton) April 3, 2014

You can listen to Barton’s comments on Rooney and his England teammates from 44.30 onwards here.