Gary Lineker responded damningly to suggestions labelling Wayne Rooney as inferior to current Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah.
Rooney is widely regarded as one of the finest British players of all-time, thanks in no small part to the fact he is both Manchester United and England's all-time top goal-scorer. The Three Lions legend also won every honour at club level, including five Premier League titles from his time at Old Trafford.
It is for that reason Lineker took such issue with a claim posted online suggesting that Rooney's legacy was in fact overrated. Twitter user @rohinlfc wrote: "Salah is a way better footballer than Rooney ever was. English tax makes Rooney look better. Rooney lives on that one bicycle kick goal in the derby."
Lineker made little attempt to hide his feelings on the debate, simply quoting the initial tweet and writing: "B*******." The former England international and current Match of The Day presenter has often gone public with his admiration for Rooney.
When the ex-Everton and United star announced he would be retiring from professional football as a player, Lineker waxed lyrical over Rooney's ability. "One of our all-time great footballers has retired. It's never an easy moment for any player but Wayne Rooney has enjoyed a truly wonderful career on the field. Here's hoping he's successful off the pitch with Derby County. Well played and good luck."
None of this is to suggest Lineker isn't also a huge admirer of Salah and his Liverpool legacy. On the contrary, it was only last season the presenter took to Twitter once again to wax lyrical over the Egyptian in the wake of another stunning solo goal against Watford.
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"One of the things I love about Mohamed Salah and there are many, is that however things are going for him in a game, he always plays with a smile on his face. Such a wonderful player with a personality to match," Lineker explained.
Both Rooney and Salah are regarded as two of the finest players to ever grace the Premier League and both are legends at the clubs they spent the most amount of time, Manchester United and Liverpool respectively.
With that being said, Salah still has some way to go before he can reach Rooney's final Premier League tally of 208 goals. The Egyptian international currently sits 88 strikes behind on 120, with just two of those coming in the colours of Chelsea - his first English club.
