Rooney compares Spain's Nico Williams to the young Cristiano Ronaldo

Former England great Wayne Rooney has said that Spain winger Nico Williams reminds him of the young Cristiano Ronaldo with whom he used to play at Manchester United.

Rooney said in his column in The Times newspaper on the eve of Sunday Euro 2024 final between England and Spain that Williams will be a big threat for the Three Lions in Berlin.

"Williams, for me, is exceptional. He reminds me of Cristiano Ronaldo when Cristiano was young," Rooney said.

"He’s a big lad, he’ll take the ball and sometimes tries too much but usually makes the right decisions."

"He is an incredible threat in one-on-one situations and scores goals as well. England need to be really careful with him."

Rooney and Portugal's Ronaldo played together at United for several years before Ronaldo joined Real Madrid in 2009.

Williams, 22, has been a revelation at the Euros, named Man of the Match in the group stage game against Italy and scoring in the last 16 victory against Georgia.

The outstanding performances of Athletic Bilbao's Williams have reportedly led to big interest from several top clubs such as Chelsea, Arsenal, and Barcelona, where Spain's other new star, Lamine Yamal, plays.

Rooney heaped praise on Yamal, who turned 17 on Saturday, and also named United teenager Kobbie Mainoo a revelation.

"Lamine Yamal will be full of confidence after his brilliant goal against France and he reminds me a bit of how I was at Euro 2004 – a teenager having the time of his life," Rooney said.

He said that "young lads like him, Nico Williams and Mainoo haven’t lived long enough to know it or understand" what fear is.

"On the big stage of a European Championship they’re just playing and enjoying it and having fun, and normally that’s the best way to play the game."

‘England will need to defend well on the flanks against Spain, because their brilliant two young wingers provide their main threat."