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Record-breaking Wayne Rooney has been hailed as one of the greatest players of his generation by Lionel Messi.

The Barcelona superstar led the tributes after England captain Rooney became the country’s leading scorer on Tuesday with his 50th goal.

A late penalty in a 2-0 win over Switzerland in a Euro 2016 qualifier at Wembley moved the 29-year-old ahead of Sir Bobby Charlton, who had held the record for 45 years.

Messi said: “Wayne Rooney is for me a once in a generation player. One of those special players, who is not comparable to any other.

“There are many special players, but Rooney has exceptional quality and technical ability as well as being one of the strongest players I have faced with an exceptional work rate - there is nobody like him.”

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Messi also dismissed claims that the Manchester United striker is top class but not world class.

The Argentina forward, 28, added: “Rooney is a winner. He will just be focused on success with England in the European Championship.

“I have always said the same is true of myself and Argentina — breaking caps and goals records mean nothing unless they come with trophies. Like I say, Wayne is a winner. It will always be the team first and personal records second.”