Andrea Pirlo was a pretty special footballer. Winning the World Cup with Italy in 2006, two Champions League titles at AC Milan, and six Serie A titles, he's remembered as one of the greatest modern midfielders.
On the pitch, he was coolness personified, known for his cultured playing style and incredible passing range. English football fans perhaps will best remember Pirlo for his iconic, but heartbreaking, Panenka at Euro 2012, which embarrassed Joe Hart and sent the Three Lions home.
As ruthless as that moment was, that's not to say the Italian wasn't left impressed by some of his opposition players on that day. He even once described one Englishman as a 'complete footballer'.
Andrea Pirlo Respected Wayne Rooney
Praised the Man United legend
Italy's Wayne Rooney (L) and Italy's Andrea Pirlo during the penalty shootout
As quoted by the Daily Mail in 2012, Pirlo was asked to name his 'favourite English player'. He simply replied:
"Wayne Rooney. He’s the complete footballer."
The Manchester United icon played the full 120 minutes against Pirlo in that quarter-final at Euro 2012. He also took England's second penalty, putting the Three Lions momentarily ahead before Pirlo levelled things up with the very next spot kick.
His Panenka was so devastatingly cool, it may well have got in the heads of Ashley Young and Ashley Cole, who both went on to miss the next two attempts.
Rooney failed to achieve as much as his talent promised in an England shirt, never making it past the quarter-final stage in any major tournaments with the Three Lions. However, he did prove himself to be an elite footballer at club level.
His best years were spent at Manchester United, where he became the Red Devils' all-time top goalscorer, and also won the Champions League and five Premier League titles. With his unique blend of goalscoring, passing, work rate, and vision, many would agree that Rooney was among the 'most complete' footballers to ever grace the sport.
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Pirlo Nearly Joined Chelsea
Was going to play for Carlo Ancelotti in England
While Pirlo evidently had a lot of respect for Rooney, he very nearly ended up playing for one of Man United's biggest rivals. Indeed, he came close to joining Chelsea in 2009 when former AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti took over. In the same interview, he explained:
"Actually, Milan wouldn’t let me go,’ he now reveals. ‘I have a very strong connection with Ancelotti so I was in touch with him when he went to Chelsea and I’m still in touch with him now he’s at Paris Saint-Germain.
"I had already started negotiating with the people at Chelsea but then finally Milan didn’t let me go. That’s why I stayed.
"Certainly it would have been a different experience that I’d have liked, especially when I was 30 years old. So why not? But unfortunately it didn’t happen."
He added: "I like English football a lot. There are plenty of very good teams. They are very aggressive so it’s always entertaining to watch.
"It wouldn’t be a problem for me fitting into that particular style because I’ve played with different players with different characteristics throughout my career."