Jermain Defoe reckons his England team-mate Wayne Rooney is better than Barcelona's Lionel Messi.

In his column for The Mirror, the Tottenham striker said: "They are two fantastic players who leave you running out of superlatives.

"But despite Leo Messi's fantastic goals for Barcelona on Wednesday night I'd have to keep Wayne Rooney as the man I believe is the best in the world.

"When you talk about dribbling, close control and beating players I'd admit, Leo Messi is the king.

"I watched Barcelona's Champions League win over Stuttgart on the TV and Messi was different class with his two goals.

"His balance, his desire and his goal ratio are incredible. He has now scored eight of his side's last 11 and 31, just one less than Rooney, in total this season."

Defoe went on to argue his case by justifying why he things Rooney is currently the world's best player.

He explained: "But, like Messi, Wayne also scores the big goals in the big games - just look at his five against AC Milan over two legs this month.

"You also have to give Wayne massive respect for the way in which he has changed his game this season.

"From being a provider, a second striker, he is much more ruthless this year. As soon as he gets it, he pops it out wide and his first instinct is to get into the box.

"You only have to look at the goal he scored against Arsenal at the Emirates in January as an example.

"To have the power and desire to run the length of the pitch after he'd won it deep in his own half and laid it out wide to Nani just summed up the player Wayne is."

The Spurs hitman was also quick to point out that he is absolutely confident that Rooney can maintain his superb goalscoring form all the way through to the 2010 World Cup.

He added: "People question whether Rooney can maintain his form until the end of the season.

"But I remember when I was at Bournemouth as a youngster and I equalled John Aldridge's post-war record of scoring in ten consecutive games.

"As the landmark got closer more and more people were talking about whether I could do it. But far from putting pressure on me, I loved it. It gave me more fire in my belly as an added incentive.

"You are confident and when you are confident you are not afraid to try things. Conversely when you are going through a bad patch you snatch at shots and take the extra touch.

"So I think Wayne will feel sharp and strong right now."

"Wayne does it week in week out in a League I believe is the toughest in the world which is why I would go for him above Messi."