England striker Wayne Rooney has named Ronaldinho as the best player in the world ahead of the World Cup in Germany.

The Brazil forward topped off a mesmerising performance against Chelsea in the Champions League with a stunning goal for Barcelona and is one of the most talked-about players in the game.

Now Rooney has added his name to the long list of admirers.

"Probably the best all-round player in the world is Ronaldinho. You see him do things and you don't know how he does it," Rooney told Sky Sports News.

"But also the likes of Thierry Henry, Andriy Shevchenko, Ronaldo, Ruud (van Nistelrooy), they are all top players. You try and learn and pick up things from them."

The 20-year-old is in his second season with Manchester United following his switch from boyhood heroes Everton and it is a move which has only benefited the player.

"No disrespect to Everton but every day I'm playing with better players and it's great because I'm still learning.

"I'm learning every day and I just want to play football, I love football, and winning things as well. That is the most important thing.

"But I'm enjoying my football and hopefully that will continue."

Rooney was also fulsome in his praise of manager Sir Alex Ferguson and admitted the Scot's track record of developing youngsters like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and David Beckham had been part of the lure of Old Trafford.

"Definitely. I was happy when I signed that I knew he could do the same for me and try and get the best out of me on the pitch.

"Sir Alex is one of the best, if not the best, managers that has been around.

"You look at the medals and the trophies he has won. It's unbelievable. I want to be a part of that and hopefully add a few more medals to it."

Rooney, who will be carrying a huge weight of expectation at the World Cup finals in Germany, found himself quickly launched into the spotlight when he exploded on to the scene as a teenager.

When asked how he coped, Rooney said: "I just knew I had to learn. A lot of people are looking to bring you down and a lot of people are looking to help you.

"You just have to be careful of things and live your life normally and that's what I try to do."