England boss Fabio Capello says Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is now among the world's best.
The England chief claims Rooney can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Lionel Messi, Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Capello said: "Rooney is one of the best players in the world now, the confidence is really there.
"Messi is about dribbling and imagination. Ronaldo is fast and shoots from distance - Rooney is a real centre-forward.
"The others play wide. Kaka has to arrive from midfield but Rooney presses. The others do that less.
"When I meet Marcello Lippi or Giovanni Trapattoni they all think he's one of the best in the world. They always ask me about Rooney."