Brazil legend Pele has sparked controversy by claiming that Santos forward Neymar is a better footballer than Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi.

The Barcelona star is considered by many as one of the globe's best players in the game, but World Cup winner Pele believes that the Argentina international will have to reach the heights of 20-year-old Neymar in order to be deemed the greatest.

"Now everyone is talking about Messi; he is a star," said Pele. "But [to be the best ever] he must first become better than Neymar. At the moment Messi is just more experienced."

Messi has already surpassed the all-time goalscoring tally at the Nou Camp with a record of 61 goals.