“He played against me, he saw what I could do.”

When you look back on the great players from England’s so-called ‘Golden Generation’, you’d be forgiven for overlooking Emile Heskey.

But he was the first name on Brazi legend Rivaldo’s lips when asked which of England’s players he would have chosen to play in his World Cup-winning side.

Getty Images - Getty 3 Rivaldo played against Heskey twice for Liverpool and once for England in 2002, and he was clearly impressed with what he saw from the striker

That will probably come as a surprise to many, but Rivaldo was a big fan of the former Leicester and Liverpool man and said the Selecao were in need of a player with his ability.

Here’s what the Brazil and Barcelona great told Liverpool.com in 2002:

“Heskey may be heavily criticised by some English fans but I don’t see it like that. I played against him a couple of times for Barcelona against Liverpool in the Champions League and realised what a quality player he is. It wasn’t long before I began thinking what weight of character and strength Heskey possessed. I told the other players [in Brazil] how dangerous he was. I admire the way he attacks the Premiership. So when you ask me which Englishman I think would be able to cope with playing in my team, Brazil, I say Heskey.”

High praise indeed.

Getty Images - Getty 3 Heskey’s trademark DJ celebration – The striker ended his career with 110 Premier League goals and 53 assists.

Heskey got a tough time from fans during his Liverpool and England days, but Rivaldo clearly knew there more to the striker than just being used as a punchline in the pub.

I experienced this first hand as a young Liverpool fan making the journey to Anfield. We played Southampton at home in December 2003, we were losing 2-0 and Heskey was getting dogs abuse all game from fans around me. He then pulled at goal back in the second-half. ‘He’s still a donkey’, a fan in front muttered. The game ended 2-1.

The Leicester-born frontman spent 16 years in the Premier League and, while it’s true he was not one of the most talented players in the top flight in his day, he perhaps deserves a bit more respect.

Heskey joined talkSPORT on Thursday and was asked about being so highly-rated by the World Cup winner, and he appeared grateful for the recognition while others in England ridiculed him.

Speaking to Kick Off, the 41-year-old said: “We played against Brazil in the 2002 World Cup and Rivaldo did a piece, who out of the England team would get in the Brazil side?

“He picked me… I was fine with that!

Getty Images - Getty 3 England were knocked out of the 2002 World Cup by Brazil 2-1 in the quarter-finals and the South Americans went on to win their fifth trophy

“I knew I could [fit into that Brazil team well], but I was ridiculed for it.”

Asked why he thought the Brazil great picked him over the Three Lions’ more glamorous players like David Beckham, Michael Owen, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand, Heskey added:

“Because he played against me.

“I think it was all-round play I bring to a team, and he’d seen that.

“I played against him for Liverpool against Barcelona. We drew away and beat them at home, so he has seen everything I brought to a team.”

Well, if it’s good enough for Rivaldo…

Listen back to a clip of Emile Heskey on Kick Off above