Marcello Lippi believes Daniele De Rossi’s two-goal salvo in the Stade Friuli marked his arrival as one of the best midfield players in world football.

The Roma midfielder recorded his first ever brace for Italy in an otherwise dour 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Georgia, which ensures the Azzurri sit on top of Group 8 with maximum points following their equally-unconvincing 2-1 win in Cyprus last Saturday.

Lippi, who gave De Rossi a debut for the national side four years ago and relied on him throughout the successful 2006 World Cup campaign despite a four-match ban, commented after the game that the player is now amongst the best midfielders in the world, alongside England’s Steven Gerrard.

“I work to constantly improve at both club and international level, trying to get as far as I possibly can,” said the Giallarossi ace. “I am very happy with Lippi’s words of praise, because being compared to a legend like Gerrard is truly a great compliment.”

De Rossi now has 39 caps to his name after bursting onto the senior scene with a goal on his debut, and at still just 25-years-old, he has enough time to become the most capped Italian midfielder of all time, ahead of current occupant Marco Tardelli on 81. Able to both cover in front of the back four and also have an impact bursting forward, he is sure to become a key player for the national side for years to come.