Spain midfielder Xavi has singled out Andrea Pirlo for special praise in the run-up to tonight's Euro 2012 final.

The 33-year-old has played a starring role in Italy's run to tonight's final and has been heralded as one of the players of the tournament.

Xavi said that he is pleased that there are players of Pirlo's ilk, who try to pay attractive attacking football rather than out-muscle their opponents.

"A few years ago, football was showing tendencies of becoming more physical and the games more condensed," said Xavi.

"We were very lucky that, although [Spain's] footballers were slightly weaker physically, they were more talented technically.

"Players like Pirlo are playing in a similar way, so I'm very happy that the tendency in football now is to try to play and try to attack."

Pirlo has won 88 caps for his country.