Rooney is the best player I have played with: Tevez

London, Nov 15 (ANI): Ace Argentinean footballer Carlos Tevez rates Manchester United winger Wayne Rooney as the best player he has ever played with.

"I've had the honour of playing with some great players. At United I had Cristiano in my team and, obviously, I have Messi in the national team.

"But the one I like the most is Wayne Rooney. He is very complete, plus we share the same humble origins, though what he experienced growing up in Liverpool was a bit more bearable than mine in Fuerte Apache!"

The feeling appears to be mutual, judging by an anecdote from Tevez's early days in England.

"I have great relationships with other players, too. One day when playing for West Ham, Rooney asked for my shirt," News of the World quoted Tevez, as saying.

"And when I was left on the bench at West Ham against Arsenal, Thierry Henry bumped into me afterwards and said 'Hey, what are you doing here? Come and play with us. It's incredible you can't get a game in this team'."

Just like his days at Manchester United, Tevez is not guaranteed a starting slot at the City.

"Fighting for my place doesn't bother me. I'm used to it. I will I never let my head drop. The harder the challenge, the more effort I put in to winning a place," he said.

Tevez might not be guaranteed a regular slot in City's starting line up; he will always feature for his national side.

He is a favourite of Diego Maradona. And Argentina will be at the forefront of his mind in seven months at World Cup 2010, the paper reports. (ANI)