FC Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi believes that his teammate Neymar will win the FIFA Ballon d'Or award in the near future as the Brazilian striker continues to show improvements in his game.
Messi said in an interview with FIFA that Neymar has all the tools to become the best players in the world. And once the 22-year-old reaches his full potential, Messi has no doubt that Neymar will become the best among the best soccer players in the world.
"He's going to get it, through his qualities, the way he is, I've no doubt that he can at some time win it," Messi said of Neymar. "He has great potential, he's a player who has a lot of qualities and he can go as far as he wants. I'm lucky enough to rub shoulders with terrific players on the pitch and he's among them."
Messi, who has won the FIFA Ballon d'Or award four times over the past five years, said that he is starting to appreciate Neymar's talent this season, pointing out that he is enjoying his partnership with the Brazilian talismanic star.
"It's the second season that we're playing together and we're starting to know each other better," Messi said. "As well this season the strikers play more in the middle of the pitch so we can pick each other out more and find connections. It's a pleasure to play with him."
Neymar, who is coming off a serious back injury that forced him to miss Brazil's crucial matches in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, has scored six goals in five Spanish Primera Division matches this season.
Meanwhile, Messi also denied speculations that he is always trying to outplay Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been his main rival for the FIFA Ballon d'Or award over the past five years.
Messi, who won the prestigious award from 2009-2012 before Ronaldo took it in 2013, reiterated that he is just playing to help Barcelona win trophies and not for personal glory.
"I'm not competing against Cristiano, I just do my job and I'm not competing with anyone. I just want to win trophies," Messi said via Sport English. "I don't know where I stand in world football, I don't even think about it, just try to keep improving. I only think about playing."
