Irving: I was better than Rooney at the age of 17. At that time, I was a few light years higher than players of the same age.

Irving said in an interview that he was better than Rooney when he was young.

"Daily Event" asked on X: "Who is better, Irving or Rooney at 17?"

Irving replied: "When I was 17, I scored 18 Premier League goals (winning the Golden Boot), and Rooney scored 6 goals. At 18, I scored 18 goals again (winning the Golden Boot again and ranked fourth in the Golden Ball Awards), and Rooney scored 9 goals. In our first seven seasons, Rooney never scored more than me (117 vs. 80 goals). "

" During this period , I became the second youngest Ballon d'Or winner in history. Injuries have hindered my development since then, and he has maintained his level. So he will be seen as a better player than me. But at 17, don't… "

" Are there any other 18-year-olds close to my level? I'm a few light years higher than my age, both in England and elsewhere. I went into Liverpool's first team and won the Golden Boot at 17. All achievements aside, I will never again be in the Premier League There are players who won the Golden Boot twice at the age of 17 and 18."

Irving added: "I divided my career into two parts: Liverpool and Real Madrid periods, and the days after that, because I was no longer the same as I was. It's not that I don't like, I'm very happy at Manchester United. I like Ferdinand and the guys."

" But I'm no longer myself. I'm no longer the same as I was. You know what I looked like when I was 18, and I know what I looked like when I was 30. I'm a little embarrassed. I came to these big stadiums with the names printed on my back, St James Park, Old Trafford. "

" Like, can't I change my name, want someone else? I don't want people to remember me like this. (I) is still good, still scoring, but I'm no longer the same. It makes me feel bad. But, what can you do?" Irving scored 158 goals in 297 games during his eight years at Liverpool and won the Golden Balls at the age of 22 in 2001. Irving also played 89 times for England and scored 40 goals.

Rooney joined Manchester United at the age of 18 for a transfer fee of £25 million and became the club's best scorer in history. He also easily surpassed Irving's record of 150 Premier League goals, reaching 208 goals, and scored 53 goals for England 120 appearances, surpassing Irving's record.