AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo expects Manchester United ace Wayne Rooney to have a big World Cup.

Pirlo, a winner with Italy in Germany 2006, believes Wayne Rooney and Xavi could make the difference at this summer's tournament, which kicks off on June 11th.

"I would say that England, Brazil and above all Spain are a cut above the rest as we head into the tournament," Pirlo told fifa.com. "I think that Spain's midfielder Xavi and England's Wayne Rooney have what it takes to put their teams in contention."