Diego Forlan: 'Neymar will be the best in the world'

Former Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan striker Diego Forlan has said that he believes Barcelona forward Neymar 'will become the best player in the world'.

Forlan, who scored 36 goals in 112 appearances for Uruguay, is also confident that Neymar will continue to improve as a result of playing alongside Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi.

"Neymar is one of the best strikers in the world, playing in football's best club team. He scores goals, he makes assists, he gets past players, he produces magic when he gets the ball," Forlan is quoted as saying by Goal.com.

"I could continue to compliment him because Neymar has lived up to the hype. Other Brazilians who've gone to Europe haven't always settled so quickly. Neymar has. He knows he's playing alongside the best in the world. He looks at Messi as someone he can learn from.

"Neymar is still a level below Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and those two are likely to remain the world's best for a few more years, but he's also nearly five years younger than Messi and seven younger than Ronaldo. He's going to get better and I suspect he'll be the best in the world in a few years."

Neymar missed Brazil's exit from the Copa America at the hands of Paraguay following his four-match suspension for his part in a brawl in the 1-0 defeat by Colombia.