Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney has been in terrific form this season and is arguably the leading candidate for the Ballon d’Or and the FIFA Player of the Year award next December.
The Englishman has 21 goals in 25 games (through Tuesday, February 16, 2010) and 25 goals in all competitions. He’s on pace to score at least 30 goals and possibly 40 or more. With Manchester United losing Cristiano Ronaldo, he’s had to pick up the scoring and has consistently proven his ability.
I’m not going to say “Rooney is the best play in the world” or make claims that are extremely difficult to prove but he’s definitely performed as well as anyone this season. If Man U can win the Premier League and the Champions League, he should head the list of the awards next winter. While Lionel Messi will still get consideration, most would agree that Rooney has less talent around him and has more responsibility.
Both clubs (Man U and Barcelona) would be strong without the two players but I feel that Rooney is more important to his club than Messi and would go from a contender in the EPL and UCL to not having a realistic chance in both.
It may change ((still a lot of season left to be played) but for now Wayne Rooney is the leading candidate for the Player of the Year awards.
