Speaking with Premier League Productions, Joel Ward didn't hold back when asked who his footballing heroes were growing up as a child.
Instead Ward, born 1989, drew upon some of the most iconic names in world football - and singled out a well known face from closer to home, too.
"I grew up in an era where we were blessed to have so many incredible players," he said. "The likes of Ronaldo, [Zinedine] Zidane, [Paolo] Maldini and all these great players. There are a few I looked up to and liked watching; the elegance they played with.