Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez has revealed that he prefers playing alongside Wayne Rooney over Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Tevez is well qualified to offer opinion on three of the world's very best players having played with the trio. But, somewhat surprisingly his preferred choice of team-mate is Manchester United ace Wayne Rooney, not compatriot Lionel Messi, or Portuguese maestro Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I've had the honour of playing with some great players. At United I had Cristiano [Ronaldo] in my team and, obviously, I have [Lionel] Messi in the national team,” he told the News of The World.

"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!" he added.

The classy striker also revealed that Arsenal legend Thierry Henry once tried to tempt him into a move to the Emirates Stadium when he was a bench-warmer during his early days with West Ham.

"I have great relationships with other players, too. One day when playing for West Ham, Rooney asked for my shirt,” he said.

"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,” he revealed.