Beyond the more populist teasing about the spoon, which recalls other made in Italy football feats, the most elegant compliment comes from the Independent, the home newspaper of the defeated English: "Pirlo the pianist: only Italy has a player like this". Yes, the pianist, someone who has his foot connected to his head and heart, like the blue midfielder last night when it was time to take that brilliant and decisive penalty. More than a pianist, Pirlo, in these Europeans: in fact he is the director of the entire orchestra, perhaps the best player seen in two weeks on the fields of Poland and Ukraine, certainly the spearhead of an Italy in constant evolution but increasingly convincing.
The praise towards his class and his feet was a veritable plebiscite worldwide, starting from the British tabloids themselves, which with their unmistakable self-irony underlined the well-deserved defeat of Hodgson's men, reserving more than a tribute to Italian pianist. “A cut above the rest,” headlines the Daily Express, "Until England can find their Pirlo, they will have to prepare for many more evenings like this", writes the Daily Mail. Even the Spanish press, historically averse to the Italian style of play by virtue of who knows which license of absolute excellence, had to come to terms with it. "Penalties do justice to beautiful Italy", appears on Marca's website, which also celebrated coach Cesare Prandelli, who "put aside some popular prejudices about Italian football" and his national team, which played with "a courage that seemed lost and an approach that conforms to the elegance of some players”.
But the real news was the authentic rain of compliments rained down via Twitter by Pirlo's colleagues, teammates and - above all - opponents. In the age of the internet and social networks, footballers now communicate anything, but such unanimity in admiration for the gesture of the genius from Brescia had hardly been seen. “Pero que clase,” writes Spanish international Cesc Fabregas, imitated by teammates Piquè (“Pirlo is just class!”) and Xavi (“Que gran penalty de Pirlo.. phenomenon!”). Former England international Michael Owen even underlined how much Pirlo "joked" goalkeeper Hart and all of England with that penalty: “Wow! Pirlo is a joke." Many tweets are even without comment, with a simple "Pirlo!" which indicates how little there is to add. This is the case, for example, of the possible next Juventus team-mate Robin Van Persie, or of the Turkish talent from Real Nuri Sahin. Tributes also came from champions of other sports, such as the German NBA player (Italy's next opponent) Dirk Nowitzki: "Pirlo got sum stones".
But at this point one wonders: if everything goes right between now and 1st July, we are really sure that the Golden Ball if the usual Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo play it?
