But it is doubted. By a lot of people. Being capable of the truly spectacular does not make a player worthy of world class status as that would automatically make thousands of football players world class. Scoring a quality goal also does not make a player worthy of world class status either as again that would automatically make thousands of football players world class. I'll just repeat the same thing as last time... your checklist for what makes a player 'world class' is so easily ticked off that 'world class' becomes meaningless as a term because so many players can tick your boxes. You need higher standards dude. A simple question for you... how many football teams right now would pay a transfer fee and wages for Wayne Rooney? Given his 'world class' talent status, I'll assume your answer is going to be 'lots' yes?
I'm incredibly tight when judging what I deem to be World Class players. I only have 1 or 2 at most for any given position. When judging players who've retired I ask myself would they have got in my 11 back when they played. I know fervent fans who have 4 or 5 WC players in their own team and these guys don't support barca, Real or Bayern... They're d*cks. FWIW I think we could scrape an argument for 1 or 2 such players* in our current side but even they are very subjective. Doesn't mean they're not amazing players, they just don't reach that upper eschelon that a very very few manage. *Campbell and Flamballs...
How many hmmm.. well the problem with Players of Rooney's age is that you never know if a decline in form is more than just that. (could it be accumulation of injuries, poor health etc..) I guarantee if his form picks up most elite clubs would love to have him. Right now most wouldn't take the risk. It's an interesting debate. Peoples definition of World Class tend to vary. I can understand those who only use it for a handful of players: Zidane,Messis Ronaldo's etc.. But I use the word to define the players who have TOP class ability and have performed for a consistently long period of their careers (and have managed to do something 'great' with that ability). For example Berbatov had World Class ability but I wouldn't call him a World Class player . 1-2 Seasons at the top level is not enough. English players rarely get the appreciation they deserve until after retirement. Perhaps this is because the Club rivalries are taken so seriously. Look at Gary Linekar he was never really appreciated.(accused of just goal hanging/ being lazy - but in truth he was a fantastic player) Is it ability? goals?..trophies.. whichever way you look at it I think Rooney has done enough to be called 'World Class'
