I checked redcafe and there are indeed ManU fans, not many mind, who believe that Rooney is on par, better or not far off Messi
Let alone Messi, Rooney is not even better than Ronaldo, full stop. He is world class and all that, but can't see winning games on his own when things aren't working for ManU. He just doesn't have that something special for me. At the moment, in terms of abilities
Messi
---miles----
Ronaldo
===miles===
the rest
If people consider this season performances only, then
Messi
-------
Ronaldo, Rooney, Cesc, Villa
-------
the rest
So while I quite like Rooney as a player, this media hype is gaining such a moment that even poor ManU fans are blinded
Rooney, in some ways like Iniesta and Xavi, clearly not the best in the world in terms of abilities, but does what he does in exceptional level. Sadly, this is not enough to be the best in the world, you need some extra magic, you have to be a genius to surpass Messi. That's why I wish Spain to win World Cup so that Xavi gets Golden Ball Award as a lifetime achievement. Yes, he is not the best, but players like Kaka, Cannavaro and Owen were never best too, when they got it.
PS The lists are from only England and Spain, the leagues I watch.