Big FootGinger Ninjassandman Imo there are five world class players: Iniesta, Xavi, Messi, Ronaldo and (a free from injury) Kaka. Rooney is in the next tier along with the likes of Higuain, Ramos and .that has potential to be in that bracket. Along with the likes of Higuain, Ramos and Fabregas.
The problem for the Premier League and their "product" is that all but two of those players play for the big two in Spain and sooner or later Fabregas will join them.
Seem to go through this argument about 'world class' on here every 12 months or so. My definition would be whether the player in question would make it into a World XI. Therefore, reluctantly in the first example, Ashley Cole would be considered a world class left back, Ronaldo a world class winger/forward, David Villa a world class striker, and so on.
Rooney is probably just off being in a World XI at the moment, but would have been 8 months ago when he couldn't stop scoring
I can think of 5 strikers ahead of Rooney - David Villa, Didier Drogba, Higuain, Carlos Tevez, Luis Fabiano
So as I said, just outside the top bracket, but there earlier in the year