Lionel Messi will help Neymar become the best in the world, says Brazil legend Mazinho

Lionel Messi will help his Barcelona team-mate become the best player in the world, according to former Brazil international Mazinho.

Neymar, who finished third in last year’s Ballon d’Or to Cristiano Ronaldo and winner Messi, has been tipped to dethrone the duo by the former Brazilian World Cup winner.

The 24-year-old attacker, who has formed a formidable relationship with Messi and Luis Suarez at Barcelona, has already claimed two La Liga titles and guided Brazil to the Olympic gold medal in the summer.

‘Neymar will be the best in the world in the near future,’ Mazinho



told Globo Esporte. ‘Messi will help him become the best in the world

‘Every great player helps another great player. Messi helps Neymar a lot and Neymar is already one of the best,’ he continued.

Messi has won the coveted Ballon d’Or award more times than any other player, the Argentine midfielder claiming the prize four times since its formation in 2010.

If Neymar does indeed become the next big name to be crowned the world’s best, it will be the first time since 2008 that neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Messi have won the crown.