Wayne Rooney, the former England striker, recently drew a compelling comparison between the Spanish winger Nicholas Williams and his ex-Manchester United teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo. Rooney made these remarks in anticipation of the European Championship (Euro) 2024 final, set to take place on Sunday at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. England and Spain are poised to face off in this much-awaited match.
Nicholas Williams has been instrumental in Spain’s journey to their first Euro final since 2012 when they clinched their second consecutive title by defeating Italy. Rooney sees a resemblance in the way Williams and Ronaldo approach the game, highlighting their fearless playing style. He emphasized that England’s defense must be particularly vigilant against Williams and another Spanish prodigy, Lamine Yamal.
Wayne Rooney Pointed Out
Rooney pointed out that Yamal and Williams, two of Spain’s dynamic young wingers, pose a significant threat to England’s chances. According to him, England needs to ensure their defensive flanks are robust to counteract the Spanish duo’s offensive prowess. Rooney told The Times that Yamal’s confidence, bolstered by his spectacular goal against France, reminds him of his youthful exuberance during Euro 2004, describing it as a time when he was “a teenager having the time of his life.”
Rooney noted that young players like Yamal, Williams, and Mainoo are often unfazed by fear due to their age and inexperience. On the grand stage of the European Championship, they are primarily focused on enjoying the game and having fun, which often brings out the best in their performance.
The Manchester United icon particularly praised Nicholas Williams, noting his exceptional abilities. Rooney sees Williams as reminiscent of a young Cristiano Ronaldo, highlighting his physicality, decision-making skills, and willingness to take risks. He mentioned that Williams, despite sometimes overreaching, generally makes the right choices on the field.
Rooney also pointed out that Williams is a significant threat in one-on-one situations and has a knack for scoring goals. This makes him a formidable opponent that England must handle with great caution. Rooney’s comments underline the critical role Nicholas Williams plays for Spain and the high stakes of the upcoming final.