Lionel Messi believes that Barcelona teammate Neymar will go on to become the best player in the world.

The 27-year-old has built a close relationship with the Brazilian on the field this season, claiming that his fellow South American will surpass the greats.

"In football you never know, but I think Neymar will be the best in the world, for the quality and physical conditions he has," Sky Sports News quotes him as saying.

The last six Ballon d'Or awards have been shared between Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, although he insists that there is no competition between the two, adding: "I'm not competing with Cristiano, or anybody. The only thing that interests me is titles; individual trophies are the least important thing to me."

Messi has five goals in six games to his name so far this season.