Maradona a Rooney fan but anoints Messi as future king

Diego Maradona is a big fan of the England striker Wayne Rooney but believes it is the heir to his throne, Lionel Messi, who has the capacity to become the best player in the world.

Maradona lifted the World Cup for his country in 1986 as his cunning and brilliance knocked England out in the quarter-finals en route to victory over West Germany in the final. And the man who has seen many youngsters hailed as his successor rates the two most exciting prospects in world football very highly.

Asked about Rooney by the former England striker Gary Lineker in When Lineker Met Maradona, to be screened on BBC1 at 10.35 tonight, the troubled genius said: "I like him. He's got character, he's got strength and he uses his butt!

"I think Lionel has all the necessary qualities to be the best in the world. I hope it happens for him because he is a great lad and handles himself really well.

"He had his problems as a boy but he's got his head screwed on right. Now he has got to have the head to believe that he can grab the world," he added.

Maradona believes England have a strong enough side to win the World Cup this year - albeit he was speaking before Rooney suffered the foot injury which has put his participation in the finals in doubt. The former Barcelona and Napoli star rates his own country's chances less highly.

"As ever, I think England are well positioned and I'm not just saying that as a compliment to the English. England has a good team, perhaps even stronger than those of previous World Cups. I think that because of the experience which members of their team have they may very well win it.

"For Argentina this year it's going to be hard, very hard. You have to give your all for one month and it depends on how Argentina plays. So much depends on whether Argentina really has a chance.

"Argentina is really going to have to battle it out, and it's going to have to battle it out with Brazil because they, too, are very strong.

"It's very complicated to win the World Cup because everything is concentrated into one month. And that month has to catch you at a good moment, with no injuries and no problems in your head. It is one month and in that month you have to give it all."