Wayne Rooney’s Verdict: Unveiling Football’s Greatest Passer

Wayne Rooney drops a bombshell, overlooking Paul Scholes and Xavi to name his pick for the greatest passer in football history. Find out who takes the crown and why this choice is turning heads.

MANCHESTER UNITED NEWSFERGIE UNITED EXCLUSIVES

3/19/20256 min read

Wayne Rooney , Paul Scholes
Wayne Rooney , Paul Scholes

Wayne Rooney’s Verdict: Unveiling Football’s Greatest Passer

In the pantheon of footballing greats, few debates ignite as much passion as the question of who mastered the art of passing. Precision, vision, and execution—these are the hallmarks of a true playmaker. Recently, Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney waded into this discussion with a surprising take, bypassing two icons of the game, Paul Scholes and Xavi Hernandez, to crown his choice for the best passer in history. His decision has sparked intrigue and debate, shedding light on a player whose legacy deserves a closer look as of March 19, 2025.

Setting the Stage: A Legacy of Greatness

Rooney, one of England’s most celebrated strikers, knows a thing or two about receiving a perfect pass. During his illustrious career, he played alongside and against some of the finest midfield maestros the sport has ever seen. At Manchester United, he thrived on the service of Paul Scholes, a midfielder renowned for his inch-perfect deliveries and uncanny ability to dictate play. Later, as a pundit and observer, Rooney witnessed Xavi Hernandez orchestrate Barcelona’s tiki-taka revolution with surgical precision.

Yet, when asked to name the greatest passer of all time, Rooney looked beyond these two luminaries. His choice wasn’t just a snub—it was a statement, one that elevates an unexpected figure above the usual suspects. This isn’t about nostalgia or club loyalty; it’s about recognizing a talent that, in Rooney’s eyes, stands alone.

The Snub: Scholes and Xavi Overlooked

Paul Scholes is a name synonymous with passing brilliance. The “Ginger Maestro” could ping a 60-yard ball onto a teammate’s toe or thread a needle through a packed defense with equal ease. His vision and technique were instrumental in Manchester United’s dominance under Sir Alex Ferguson, earning him praise from peers like Zinedine Zidane, who once called him the best midfielder of his generation. For Rooney, who scored countless goals off Scholes’ assists, the temptation to pick his former teammate must have been strong.

Then there’s Xavi, the heartbeat of Barcelona and Spain’s golden era. With over 700 appearances for the Catalan giants and a starring role in four Champions League triumphs, Xavi redefined midfield play. His short, crisp passes—often delivered under relentless pressure—kept the ball moving like a metronome, dismantling defenses with relentless rhythm. Many consider him the pinnacle of possession-based football, a technician whose stats and trophies speak for themselves.

So why did Rooney bypass them? Scholes and Xavi are household names, their highlight reels etched into football folklore. Yet, Rooney’s gaze turned elsewhere, hinting at a deeper appreciation for a different kind of genius—one that transcends the obvious choices.

The Chosen One: Rooney’s Clear Winner

Rooney’s pick for the greatest passer in history is none other than Lionel Messi. Yes, the Argentine wizard, best known for his dribbling and goal-scoring exploits, takes the crown—not as a traditional midfielder, but as a footballer whose passing prowess Rooney deems unmatched. “There’s one clear winner,” Rooney declared, pointing to Messi’s ability to “see things no one else can” and deliver passes that defy logic.

At first glance, this might seem an unconventional choice. Messi’s legacy is built on his staggering 839 career goals (as of early 2025) and his capacity to slalom past defenders with the ball glued to his left foot. But dig into his game, and the passing brilliance becomes undeniable. From his days at Barcelona to his World Cup-winning heroics with Argentina in 2022, Messi has consistently showcased a vision that turns teammates into goal-scorers and chaos into opportunity.

Think of his audacious chipped assists, his perfectly weighted through balls, or the way he splits defenses with a single touch. Messi’s passing isn’t just functional—it’s transformative. Rooney, having faced him multiple times, including the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals, knows this better than most. “He doesn’t just pass the ball,” Rooney noted. “He puts it exactly where it needs to be, every time.”

Why Messi Stands Out

What sets Messi apart from Scholes and Xavi? For one, his versatility. Scholes operated as a deep-lying playmaker or attacking midfielder, dictating tempo from set positions. Xavi thrived in a system tailored to his strengths, surrounded by like-minded technicians. Messi, though, has done it all—starting as a winger, dropping into a false nine role, and later roaming as a free-roaming creator. His passing range adapts to any situation, whether it’s a quick one-two or a 40-yard diagonal that lands with pinpoint accuracy.

Statistics back Rooney’s claim. By March 2025, Messi’s assist tally exceeds 350 across club and country, a number that rivals dedicated playmakers. His standout season at Paris Saint-Germain in 2022-23, where he notched 21 goals and 20 assists in Ligue 1, showcased his dual threat. Even in MLS with Inter Miami, where he’s elevated a struggling side to trophy contention, his passing remains a weapon—think of the viral free-kick assist to Leonardo Campana that curved around a wall and dropped perfectly into stride.

Beyond numbers, it’s the audacity of Messi’s passes that dazzles. Scholes and Xavi excelled within structure; Messi bends the game to his will. A flicked backheel to Neymar in 2015, a no-look pass to Lautaro Martinez in 2022—these are moments of improvisation that leave opponents and analysts speechless. Rooney’s endorsement highlights this rare blend of creativity and consistency.

The Debate: Is Rooney Right?

Rooney’s choice isn’t without contention. Scholes’ supporters argue his longevity and adaptability—reinventing himself from a goal-scoring midfielder to a regista—make him the purer passer. Xavi’s advocates point to his role in Spain’s 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 triumphs, where his passing was the foundation of historic success. Both have compelling cases, rooted in their mastery of midfield craft.

Messi, by contrast, isn’t a traditional No. 10. His passing brilliance often shares the spotlight with his otherworldly dribbling and finishing. Some might argue this dilutes his claim as the “best passer,” favoring specialists over a jack-of-all-trades. Yet, Rooney’s perspective flips that logic: Messi’s ability to dominate every facet of the game, passing included, makes him the standout.

Other names—like Andrea Pirlo, Zinedine Zidane, or even Kevin De Bruyne—could enter the conversation. De Bruyne, still active in 2025, rivals Messi’s assist numbers and vision. But Rooney’s focus on Messi suggests a nod to career-long excellence and moments of magic that transcend eras.

Impact on Football’s Passing Legacy

Rooney’s declaration does more than stir debate—it reframes how we evaluate passing greatness. Historically, the title has belonged to midfield architects who control games from the center. Messi’s inclusion challenges that archetype, suggesting that the best passer might not fit the mold. It’s a testament to his evolution from winger to all-encompassing genius, a player who rewrote the rules.

For younger fans, this could shift admiration toward hybrid talents who blend skills rather than specialize. For purists, it’s a reminder that football’s beauty lies in its unpredictability—Messi’s passes are as much art as they are science.

Conclusion: A Crown Well Earned

Wayne Rooney’s decision to name Lionel Messi as the greatest passer in football history is bold, unexpected, and undeniably compelling. Snubbing Paul Scholes and Xavi, two titans of the craft, takes guts, but his reasoning holds weight. Messi’s vision, execution, and adaptability set him apart, turning a debate about midfield mastery into a celebration of a singular talent.

As of March 2025, Messi’s legacy continues to grow, and Rooney’s endorsement adds another layer to his mythos. Whether you agree or champion a different name, one thing is clear: the “clear winner” in Rooney’s eyes has redefined what it means to pass a football. In a sport rich with legends, Messi’s place as a passing king is now impossible to ignore.

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