New York City FC midfielder Andrea Pirlo has declared PSG ace Marco Verratti as the "future of Italian football".

Verratti is seen as the heir to Pirlo.

“Verratti is a very good player," the 37-year-old said in an interview with L'Équipe.

“He is and will be the future of Italian and European football for the next 20 years.

“He plays more or less in my position, but we're very different in our style of play. He plays with more short passes, he dribbles more than me and he holds onto the ball more.

“He's the best Italian player for now and the future. We had good times together with Italy.

“A lot of people say that good players can't play together, but as long as everyone is involved then things work. Between us, it worked.

“We had a very good rapport, we still talk and we see each other sometimes. When we were with the national team, one would often go into the other's room to speak.

“We spoke a few days ago for a TV show, right after his game against Barcelona I congratulated him by text. He told me my message was the one he most appreciated.

“So I replied: 'Now you've become number one because I'm finishing my career'…"