Can Rooney or Messi be the big game hero?

Everyone loves a hero and there is no doubt that the eyes of the world and the hopes and expectations of their fans will be on two key men in the Champions League final. There is a need for every player to turn up and play at the top of their capabilities but in a tight game, you look to the superstars of football to deliver the finishing touches and Wembley sees two of the best players in the world taking the field.

Even though it is a neutral stadium, many will consider the trip to Wembley as almost a home game for Manchester United and Wayne Rooney should feel at home in the fine stadium. The England international has featured on the hallowed Wembley turf more than most and even though his form has been patchy at times this season, he has hit form in recent months and could well be the man to get in behind the rocks of the Barcelona defence, Puyol and Pique.

Does Wayne really want to stay?

He is not the only danger man United have, with Chicarito being in tremendous and the scoring prowess of Ryan Giggs being in the papers a lot recently but it is in Wayne Rooney that the United fans will place their dreams. There was a lot of anger directed at Rooney earlier in the season when it was announced he hoped to leave Old Trafford but with a new contract signed, there is at least a semblance of peace for the Red Devils and it is time for Rooney to repay those fans. If he does so with a winning perfromance at Wembley, all will be forgiven between the player and fans.

Is Messi the greatest?

One man who never needs forgiveness is Lionel Messi, the player that some claim is the current greatest player in the world. These titles can never be fully justified, and Cristiano Ronaldo will point to more goals scored in La Liga this season but Lionel Messi makes football worth watching. On his day, he is one of the most exciting talents in the world and of course, the little Argentinean has already scored in a Champions League final against Manchester United.

That came in the 2-0 win in Rome but surprisingly, it came from a header as Messi snuck in at the backpost to put the game beyond United. Do not be surprised if Messi gets on the score sheet against United with a more typical swerving run and finish.

In the biggest games, the danger men can often be snuffed out by tight defending but these are the games that truly define world class footballers so you hope that Rooney or Messi will be able to conjure up a piece of magic that will have people talking for days about their glorious game or moment in the Champions League final at Wembley.

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