Alan Shearer: 'Wayne Rooney is not a great player'

Former England striker Alan Shearer has claimed that Wayne Rooney is not a "great" player, citing Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as examples within that bracket.

The Three Lions skipper has scored 43 goals for his country ahead of his 100th international cap against Slovenia on Saturday, and has also won a multitude of trophies with Manchester United.

However, Shearer told BBC Sport: "I think the word 'great' is used maybe too many times nowadays but you can't argue with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who are 'great'.

"I wouldn't put Wayne in that bracket. Very good, yes. But if you are using those two as great players I don't think he's at that level."

Rooney currently stands six goals behind 1966 World Cup winner Bobby Charlton's all-time England goal record of 49.