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Wayne Rooney may be nursing his wounds today after Manchester United's 3-0 defeat by Liverpool on Sunday, but here is something to cheer him up.
The 28-year-old has received a glowing endorsement from the original Brazilian Ronaldo, the record goalscorer in World Cup history, who has called him "one of the best strikers in the world".
In an interview with rwdfootball.com, Ronaldo said about Rooney: "I think he's a fantastic player who scored wonderful goals both for the English team and Manchester United. So I think he’s one of the best strikers in the world."
"I believe there are players here that are already at that high level, players like [Steven] Gerrard in Liverpool, [Wayne] Rooney from Manchester United. They are part of that league of high-class players."
Ronaldo has been living in London, taking a different career path after retiring form the sport in 2011. He has been undertaking an internship at one of the world's biggest advertising companies WPP, working alongside its chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell.
While living in England, Ronaldo must have watched plenty of the Premier League, and singled out Chelsea's Eden Hazard as one players he has most enjoyed to see in full flight.
Show all 24 1 /24Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings David de Gea 6/10 Nowhere near any of the three penalties. Slightly made amends with a late stop from Suarez from close range, but then beaten again minutes after
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Rafael 5/10 Lucky to remain on the pitch for the second period after an ugly tackle on Gerrard and then handball for the first penalty. Offered little in attack, too
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Phil Jones 4/10 Confused by the movement of Sturridge, who ran rings around him. Recklessly charged out like a bull in a china shop to concede the second penalty.
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Nemanja Vidic 3/10 Unlucky for second yellow for lunge at Sturridge, but, like most of his team-mates, looked well off the pace. His Italian retirement home awaits
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Patrice Evra 4.10 Endured a painful afternoon. Could not cope with the pace of Sterling and Sturridge – and had to deal with pair on his own with little help from Mata
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Juan Mata 4/10 Alienated on the wing, and did not track back to help Evra at all, constantly leaving space for Liverpool to exploit – which they did.
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Marouane Fellaini 3/10 Had some success with interceptions early on, but, like Carrick alongside him, was run ragged as the game wore on. Another lacklustre display.
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Michael Carrick 4/10 Pulled apart by the movement of Liverpool’s midfield. Could have conceded a fourth penalty with clumsy foul on Sturridge late on as well.
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Adnan Januzaj 5/10 A couple of bursts forward made it look like he could provide the spark for United, but grew more and more anonymous, and timid.
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Wayne Rooney 6/10 Had United's only real chance, when his powerful effort was saved by Mignolet.
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Robin van Persie 5/10 Cut a frustrated figure. Struggled to get in the game and kept turning away from goal into blind alleys whenever he got a sniff of the ball.
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Best of the bench: Danny Welbeck 4/10 Replaced the ineffective Januzaj with 15 minutes remaining, and although a willing runner, he chased shadows like his demoralised team-mates.
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Simon Mignolet 7/10 Impressive stop from Rooney’s driven effort was the only time he was called upon. Then just watched the masterclass like everyone else
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Glen Johnson 7/10 The right-back put in a solid shift, although was hardly in the thick of it such was United’s tame attacking. Did everything that was asked of him well
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Martin Skrtel 7/10 The busier of Liverpool’s centre-back pairing, sticking close to Van Persie. But he struggled at times when Rooney decided to power into the box.
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Daniel Agger 7/10 Beaten too easily by some early breaks from Rooney, but the Danish defender was comfortable for the majority of the match.
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Jon Flanagan 7/10 Clattered about early on in the match but did not give Januzaj or Rafael any joy at all in a no-nonsense performance from the 21-year-old.
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Steven Gerrard 9/10 Ended the match with a nose bleed as Liverpool entered nose-bleed territory in deserved fashion. A quite brilliant performance from the captain
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Joe Allen 8/10 Usual great distribution of the ball, but was also happy to do the dirty work, putting in important blocks to launch his team on the attack.
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Jordan Henderson 8/10 Sharp as a tack and always on the move. Has added incisiveness to his game this season. Something Carrick and Fellaini sorely lacked.
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Raheem Sterling 7/10 Looked to get involved in every Liverpool attack, buzzing around the pitch. Neat and tidy with his passing in a more central midfield position
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Luis Suarez 8/10 Put the icing on the cake with astute finish past De Gea in the final stages. Dropped a little bit deeper for maximum impact and terrorised poor Jones.
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Daniel Sturridge 8/10 His pace and movement constantly troubled the United defence but was wasteful in front of goal. Unfair tumble to win the third penalty.
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3 player ratings Philippe Coutinho 7/10 Came on for Sterling with 18 minutes remaining and nearly helped himself to a goal in closing stages but dragged a long-range effort wide.
"He’s a very good player and seems to be doing a wonderful job in Chelsea. His hat trick performance [against Newcastle United] gave him more confidence. He’s very young but very talented so am sure he will do well at the World Cup."
Watch the full interview at rwdmag.com/football
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