Danny Mills has insisted he has no issue with Lionel Messi's controversial penalty for Barcelona.
Messi passed the ball to Luis Suarez to score in Sunday's 6-1 win over Celta Vigo, leading some to brand his actions 'disrespectful'.
Mills, playing for Manchester City against Arsenal, reacted furiously in 2005 when Robert Pires and Thierry Henry tried something similar - but got it all wrong with Pires famously miskicking before City cleared the ball downfield.
However, writing in the Times, the former England defender said there was one crucial difference between Messi and Pires - Messi got it right.
"There are times in football when you simply have to hold your hands up and admit you have been beaten by someone better than you," Mills said.
"That is why Celta Vigo's players did not respond to Suarez and Messi with the anger I felt with Pires and Henry.
"They could see it for what it was and they had no choice but to admire it. Your frustration is with yourself for conceding.
"It is the same with the 'Panenka' (gently chipping a penalty straight over the keeper). If it goes in, great. If the goalkeeper just stands still and watches as the ball drifts harmlessly into his arms, then what might have looked clever and sensational simply looks arrogant.
"You have fallen into the trap of thinking you are better, perhaps smarter than you are.
"That is the golden rule when trying something different: to make sure you stay on the right side of the line between genius and stupidity. Make sure it works."