Matter of time before Neymar wins Ballon d'Or: Kaka

Brazilian midfielder Kaka believes "it's a matter of time" before his compatriot Neymar is awarded the Ballon d'Or for which he is competing against Argentinian Lionel Messi and Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo.

"Thankfully, Neymar has improved a lot since he's gone to play in Europe, his game is a lot more mature. Now it's a matter of time until he reaches first place," Kaka said, reports Efe.

The Orlando City player, who won the Ballon d'Or when playing for Milan in 2007, ahead of Messi and Cristiano, considers it "fair" that the trophy has been alternating between the two in recent years.

"It had always been a rotation. Ronaldo and Zidane won it three times, but there was always some other player - names like Figo, Ronaldinho, myself, Rivaldo, Cannavaro. Then comes this succession of Cristiano and Messi, only the two of them and it is fair, for what they have been doing year after year," he said.

Kaka, who after leaving Milan played four seasons at Real Madrid (2009-2013) and then returned to the Italian team, noted the absence of Brazilian players among the prize winners of recent editions since he picked up the trophy in 2007.

"It's difficult to point out a single reason for this but it must serve to alert Brazilian football. And, truth be told, it's no easy task to forge a Ballon d'Or winner," said the 33-year-old.