France's 1998 World Cup-winning coach Aime Jacquet has hailed Liverpool's Senegalese signing El Hadji Diouf as one of football's new superstars.
Jacquet paid tribute to striker Diouf after he was named as one of the top ten players in the World Cup.
Diouf stood out in the Senegal side that reached the quarter-final before losing to Turkey.
And Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier was delighted to have clinched the striker's move from Lens before he came to global attention.
Diouf's surge to prominence was confirmed by his nomination in the elite group of World Cup players by Fifa's Technical Support Group, led by former Aston Villa and Celtic manager Dr Josef Venglos.
Houllier signed Diouf from under the noses of Spanish side Valencia, and his judgement was backed up by the powerful striker's displays in the tournament.
Jacquet, a close friend of Houllier and his successor as France coach, said: "I am absolutely delighted that Diouf has been included.
"He is such an impressive player. He played in France last season and gave some quite spectacular performances. He is a special talent.
"All the ten names on the list are worthy of inclusion, but I am particularly pleased Diouf is there because I like his qualities."