Reeling Rooney: Iniesta is world's best
Reuters - Thursday 28 May 2009, 07:15
ROME - Manchester United's Wayne Rooney
did not let the disappointment of Wednesday's 2-0 defeat in the
Champions League final stop him hailing Barcelona's Andres
Iniesta as the world's best player.
Iniesta was instrumental as the Catalans controlled
midfield to claim their third European Cup with relative ease.
He laid on Samuel Eto'o's 10th-minute opener before Lionel
Messi sealed victory with a rare header in the second half.
PHOTOS: Barcelona 2-0 Manchester United
"They are a brilliant team and I think Iniesta is the best
player in the world at the moment," the forward, among the
English champions' biggest disappointments on the night, told
reporters.
United made a bright start with FIFA World Player of the
Year Cristiano Ronaldo having a number of chances, but it was a
one-sided affair after Eto'o struck and Rooney admitted his
team were comprehensively beaten.
"They scored their goals at good times and made it
difficult for us" he said.
"Barcelona pass the ball so well and if you don't take your
chances they punish you."
Defending champions United, in contrast, were
uncharacteristically careless with possession and Rooney was
one of the worst offenders.
He made no secret of how bitter the defeat tasted.
"I'm hurting at the moment, but we've got to get over it
and look to next season," he said.
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