Ronaldinho: Neymar now equals Messi, Ronaldo

Dubai March 16 (IANS) Neymar is ready to assume the mantle of the world s best player and is now the equal of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo according to Brazil great Ronaldinho.

After a slow start to the current season Neymar has struck a rich vein of form in recent weeks culminating with a decisive performance in Barcelona s 6-1 Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain last week reports Xinhua news agency.

Neymar is a close friend and he is Brazil s greatest idol today Ronaldinho told reporters.

He s already at the same level as (Cristiano) Ronaldo and Messi and we hope that one day he can get the Ballon d Or and continue his success but he s already one of the best players in the world and it s just a matter of time.

Neymar was third in the 2015 Ballon d Or and has already been tipped by Messi and Brazil legend Pele to be a future winner.

Despite scoring fewer goals this season than his previous two campaigns at the Camp Nou Neymar has been no less important.

The 25-year-old has scored 14 times and provided 17 assists in 34 matches across all competitions in 2016-17.

Ronaldinho twice voted FIFA World Player of the Year during his 2003-08 spell at Barcelona said he was looking forward to representing the Catalan club again in a legends match against Real Madrid next month.

I m not playing professionally right now but I m always ready to play -- especially in a game like that the 36-year-old World Cup winner said.

--IANS
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