England's last World Cup winner doesn't have a single cap for the Three Lions

England take on Italy in a repeat of the Euro 2021 final on Tuesday.

This time Gareth Southgate's side host the Azzurri at Wembley in a Group C Euro 2024 qualifier.

10-man England beat Italy in Naples in the reverse fixture back in March, with Declan Rice and Harry Kane on target.

And ahead of the match, it feels right to delve into one of the most interesting stories involving a player with links to both England and Italy.

Simone Perrotta has been labelled 'England's last World Cup winner' - though he did not make a single appearance for the Three Lions.

Although Perrotta was eligible, he was capped 48 times by Italy and was part of the side who beat France on penalties to win the coveted trophy in Berlin.

Image: Getty

Perrotta was born in Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside, to Italian parents who had emigrated.

According to the Manchester Evening News, his mum Ann Maria and dad Francesco ran a pub in Ashton, while the former took charge of a football team named the Jolly Milan.

After moving in the 1970s, he developed an affinity for Manchester United and his dream was fulfilled when his son played for Roma at Old Trafford in the Champions League in 2007.

The family moved back to hometown Cerisano, in the south of Italy in 1983 when Simone was just six.

Image: Getty

Perrotta climbed through the ranks at Reggina before turning out for the likes of Juventus, Bari, Chievo and Roma - where he spent the bulk of his career.

He spent nine seasons with the Giallorossi, winning the Coppa Italia on two occasions.

In 2010, he had a statue erected outside the Tameside Stadium, home of Non-League side Curzon Ashton.

The bust is next to sculptures of fellow Tameside World Cup winners Geoff Hurst and Jimmy Armfield - who both held the prize in 1966.

Image: Getty

"It was my uncle, who still lives there, who told me about it," he told Chris Stark, then of Radio 1, in 2016.

"The fact that in England, in Ashton-Under-Lyne, something tangible has been left by building a statue in my name makes me happy and proud to have been born in England."

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Topics: England, Italy, Football World Cup

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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