Vieira said: "Steven Gerrard I think he's better than me when I was that age. Liverpool haven't done particularly well recently but, as an individual, Gerrard has had a fantastic season.
"If someone asks me who I like in the England team I say Gerrard and Paul Scholes. Someone else will say David Beckham but because I like the way Scholes and Gerrard play, I say them. It's my position and I like their passion.
"For Gerrard I have a big respect. He's a really talented player and one of the main men in the England team. If he does well, then England will do well. I think he's learned a lot and I think being England captain helped him a lot as well.
"England have a team to do well. They were better than France in the last World Cup and I believe that with Gerrard, Scholes and Beckham England can be really good.
"I like it when players like Gerrard are nominated to be the best player in the country. It's good for all of us who are playing in the same position."