Martino: Neymar is at Messi and Ronaldo's level

The Argentina coach believes his former Barcelona forward, whom he will take on in Buenos Aires on Thursday, is up there with the very best in the world on current form.

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino believes Brazil captain Neymar's current form has him on a par with Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 23-year-old has scored 12 goals in 14 appearances in all competitions for Barca so far this season, helping his side to the top of La Liga despite Messi's absence due to a knee injury since late September.

Messi is out of Argentina's World Cup qualifier against Brazil in Buenos Aires on Thursday but Neymar will play for his country for the first time since the Copa America, having served a four-game suspension handed down for his actions in the game against Colombia at the tournament.
 
Martino, who coached Neymar during his first season at Camp Nou, admitted the Brazilian's recent performances put him right up there with his missing talisman.

"Neymar is at a superlative level," the 52-year-old said. "His return to the Brazil team comes at a great time.

"Every player needs time to adapt. I had to coach a very good Neymar, but what he is doing puts him at the level of the two players [Messi and Ronaldo] we considered above the rest."