Neymar the best in the world now: Ronaldinho

Former Brazil star Ronaldinho has said that his compatriot and Barcelona forward Neymar is currently the best player in the world.

"Neymar, currently on form, is the best player in the world," Ronaldinho was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail on Thursday.

"His rise has not surprised me at all. Even when he was a kid his ability was obvious. At the age he is, I still have every belief he can go on to get better and better.

"Now he has reached the level of the best in the world, he can stay there for five or six years, comfortably."

The 2002 World Cup winner has also backed Brazilian poster-boy Neymar to do exceedingly well in the English Premier League (EPL) if the latter decides to quit Barcelona and move to England.

Neymar's father had said earlier this week that his son might have to quit playing for the Catalan giants if his tax issues are not solved in the near future.

"He could and would succeed at any league in the world. Of course, there are always transition periods. But when you have that much ability you will succeed in any league in any country," Ronaldinho said.

"England is not an easy league to succeed in, but yes of course he would be a success there. I can't see why Barcelona would want to allow him to leave, but if he was to, I'm sure that it would have to be for a record fee."