Neymar Will Usurp Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, Says Brazil Legend Ronaldo

Brazilian football icon Ronaldo is expecting his compatriot Neymar  to usurp Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi and Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo to become the finest player in the world next year.

Ronaldo, who won two World Cups with the Selecao and also played for both Real and Barca, has been hugely impressed with the Brazil skipper's form this season and doesn’t anticipate his development will be slowing down any time soon, backing him to win the 2016 Ballon d’Or award, per Reuters (h/t Eurosport):

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I would bet on Neymar next year. I think Neymar is still growing a lot and I think the growth of Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi has reached its limit. Maybe they will be there another year or two and I think it's natural that Neymar takes over that position in which Brazil has always had representatives. ...

I really want Neymar to win and interrupt the series of Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi. I think this year it will be between the two of them again. I don't know if Neymar will finish in third.

"

Lefteris Pitarakis/Associated Press

Since the start of this season, Neymar has arguably been the best player in world football. With Messi only just returning to action after a two-month layoff, the skilful forward has relished being the leader of the Barcelona attack alongside Luis Suarez, with the axis of the team’s forward forays switching from the right to the left.

As we can see here courtesy of Squawka Football, the numbers the Brazilian has racked up in the Spanish top flight this season have been sensational:

If Neymar can maintain this consistency, then he has a chance of taking the coveted award at the expense of Messi and Ronaldo, handed to the finest player on the planet. As Ronaldo mentions, the pair are still the two most consistent operators around, although they are each arguably past their absolute peak.

Philipp Schmidli/Getty Images

As we can see here courtesy of Grup14, Neymar is on track to match the achievements of both, given what he’s accomplished at such a young age:

What’s also likely to give Neymar a wonderful chance of winning this award is the manner in which he plays the game. For the 23-year-old, it’s not just about trophies, individual accolades, goals and assists, it’s about enjoying himself on the field and entertaining the supporters who have flocked to watch the game.

VI-Images/Getty Images

Therefore, it's little surprise so many Brazilians, who play the game with a similar samba swagger, have been in the running for the accolade. 

That’s something that has been so prevalent in Neymar this term, whether it was his remarkable recent flicked goal against Villarreal or this majestic piece of control during the 6-1 win against Roma in midweek, per Copa 90:

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We are not worthy, Neymar https://t.co/xwIHGeommK

— Copa90 (@Copa90) November 24, 2015"

All those associated with the game love to see these moments, and that’ll stand Neymar in excellent stead when voting time does come around for the Ballon d’Or once again. It’s an award the Brazilian’s outrageous talent warrants him winning, as does his ability to step up and make vital contributions for his side.

The question is “when?” and not “if?” for Neymar. It’ll be tough to usurp Messi and Ronaldo this year, especially after the magnificent form of his team-mate. Should he preserve the levels he’s showcased recently into next year and next season, though, Neymar has a fine chance of ending this long-standing duopoly.