Legend of the 2000s, Andrea Pirlo was one of football’s finest midfielders. After lifting the World Cup with Italy in 2006, winning two Champions League trophies with AC Milan and collecting six Serie A titles, he cemented his reputation as one of the greatest modern midfielders.

Renowned for his calmness under pressure, Pirlo built his legacy through a cultured playing style and an exceptional passing range. Supporters in England may remember him most for his unforgettable Panenka at Euro 2012, which beat Joe Hart and helped eliminate the Three Lions.

Despite delivering one of England’s most painful tournament moments, Pirlo still had enormous admiration for several opponents. In fact, he once labelled one English star a ‘complete footballer’.

Andrea Pirlo Respected Man United Legend Wayne Rooney

As quoted by the Daily Mail in 2012, Pirlo was asked to name his ‘favourite English player’. His answer was straightforward:

The Manchester United great played all 120 minutes against Pirlo in the Euro 2012 quarter-final. Rooney also converted England’s second penalty to briefly give the Three Lions the advantage before Pirlo responded with his famous chipped effort.

The audacity of that Panenka appeared to swing the momentum, with Ashley Young and Ashley Cole both missing England’s next two penalties.

Although Rooney never progressed beyond the quarter-finals with England at a major tournament, he enjoyed an outstanding club career.

His greatest successes came at Manchester United, where he became the Red Devils’ all-time top goalscorer, while also winning the Champions League and five Premier League crowns. Combining goals, creativity, relentless work rate and vision, Rooney is widely regarded as one of the ‘most complete’ footballers the game has produced.

Pirlo Nearly Joined Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea

While Pirlo clearly admired Rooney, he almost found himself lining up for one of Manchester United’s fiercest rivals. The Italian came close to joining Chelsea in 2009 after former AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti was appointed manager. Reflecting on the move in the same interview, Pirlo said:

“Actually, Milan wouldn’t let me go. 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.

“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 really enjoy English football. There are many top-quality teams, and the intensity they play with makes it exciting to watch.

“I don’t think adapting to that style would have been difficult because throughout my career I’ve played alongside many different types of players.”

One can only imagine how impressive Pirlo would have been as a Premier League midfielder.

The 2026 World Cup has reached its business end, with the four remaining teams vying for glory.

The three co-hosts, the United States, Canada and Mexico, did well to reach the last 16 but each fell at the same hurdle as they lost to Belgium, Morocco and England respectively.

Of that winning trio, only the Three Lions survived the quarter-finals. Joining Thomas Tuchel’s resilient side in the last four of the competition are reigning champions Argentina, who continue to cause refereeing controversy en-route to a second final in a row, as well as France and Spain.

Ahead of the semi-finals, which begin on Tuesday evening when France take on Spain in an all-European showdown, GiveMeSport has asked GrokAI to predict the remainder of the tournament.

Semi-Finals

REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

If AI is correct in its semi-final predictions, France are set to make a final appearance for an astonishing third time in a row, having won in 2018, before then cruelly losing out to Messi and co. in 2022. Spain beat France in the semi-finals of Euro 2024 before going on to lift the trophy. However, AI thinks Didier Deschamps’ side will get the better of Spain this time round.

On the game, it said: “France has been dominant and clinical; Spain plays attractive football but may struggle against France’s physicality and counter-attacking threat (Mbappe, etc.). France edges it in a high-quality “final before the final.”

In the other semi-final, AI has backed Argentina to beat England 2-1, writing: “Argentina (reigning champions with Messi still influential) has clutch quality. England has momentum and stars like Bellingham but often falters in big moments against top South American sides.”

Third-Place Match and Final

Kyle Ross (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)

No side ever wants to contest the third-placed match. Players are often deflated after failing to reach the final and a drab affair ensues. That said, AI thinks it will be different in 2026 as Spain beat England 2-1 in a repeat of the Euro 2024 final. It predicts: “Losers of tight semis often rotate or show fatigue; Spain’s depth should prevail for bronze.”

If AI has got it right, France and Argentina will go head-to-head in a repeat of the 2022 final. Four years ago, the two nations played out one of the greatest matches in football history. After the two sides couldn’t be separated in extra-time, the match went all the way to penalties, with Argentina triumphing.

AI thinks France will get revenge and become world champions for the third time. It writes: “France beats Argentina 2-1 (or on penalties). A rematch of recent finals vibes – France’s balance, experience, and current favoritism make them likely champions. Argentina fights hard but falls just short of back-to-back titles.

Tottenham Hotspur chiefs are now growing in confidence that they will seal a deal to sign Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi this summer, according to TEAMtalk.

There is no doubt that Tottenham are winning in the transfer window in terms of Premier League clubs, having made six quality signings since the window opened four weeks ago.

The free transfer additions of Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi and Martin Dubravka were impressive enough, with all three bringing huge Premier League experience and Robertson having won both the Premier League and the Champions League during his time with Liverpool.

It’s only got better too since the north Londoners started spending money for signings, with Jan Paul van Hecke, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali joining for a combined fee of around £235m.

The latter two in particular were also wanted by big clubs in the Premier League and in Europe, and both represent quite the coup for a team that finished in 17th position in the English top flight last term.

Having transformed the defence and midfield engine room, now attention has turned to strengthening a frontline that suffered from injuries and general poor form last term.

Tottenham Preparing Junior Kroupi Bid

via Reuters

Tottenham have received a huge boost in their bid to land exciting Bournemouth attacker Eli Junior Kroupi this summer, with Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain turning their attention to a deal to sign Barcelona forward Ferran Torres instead.

According to TEAMtalk, PSG had identified Junior Kroupi as a ‘dream’ replacement for Goncalo Ramos following the Portugal international’s big-money move to AC Milan, but the youngster isn’t willing to accept a move to the Parc des Princes to be a back-up player.

Now, the Ligue 1 giants are making progress on a move to sign Torres, with personal terms already agreed and club-to-club talks advancing.

It all means that Spurs officials are increasingly confident of sealing a deal for the ‘world-class talent’, as they get ready to test Bournemouth’s resolve with a bid, in the hope that a deal worth around £85m will be enough to convince the south coast outfit to sell.

Joining Tottenham Really Appeals to Junior Kroupi

via Reuters

The second big boost for Tottenham in their pursuit of another exciting Premier League player is the fact that he is said to see the prospect of linking up with De Zerbi in north London as being ‘hugely appealing’.

The youngster is said to value regular first-team football over playing for a huge club where he will be out of the starting XI more often than not, which could make Spurs the perfect move.

Tottenham believe that both the player and his representatives are open to the move this summer, and they see him as a player who is capable of leading their attack for many years.

The biggest challenge will be producing an offer that is good enough to tempt Bournemouth to sell, given they are insisting he is untouchable ahead of the club’s first ever European campaign under new manager Marco Rose next term.