Lionel Messi Comments on Playing with Neymar, Player's Development at Barcelona

Lionel Messi has described playing alongside Barcelona team-mate Neymar as "a pleasure and a privilege" ahead of the Camp Nou giants' Thursday clash with Guangzhou Evergrande in the Club World Cup semi-final in Japan.

The last time Barca won the FIFA tournament was back in 2011 when Messi scored a double in the final in a 4-0 defeat of Neymar's Santos.

The Brazilian subsequently transferred to the Catalan club in 2013, and Messi has complimented Neymar on his immense improvement over the last four years, per FIFA: "A lot of time’s gone by since then and I’ve witnessed his enormous growth, both as a footballer and as a person. Back then he was already a really great player and now he’s even more so, he’s much more complete. Truthfully, it’s a pleasure and a privilege to have him alongside us now."

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Indeed, Neymar, 23, is currently enjoying his most impressive season in his fledgling career.

He has netted 14 goals and provided five assists in La Liga and was critical, along with Luis Suarez, for moving Barcelona to the head of the Spanish top-flight while Messi was sidelined through injury from late September to late November, per WhoScored.com.

The Brazil captain has been included alongside Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo in the final three-man shortlist for the 2015 Ballon d'Or, and he deserves to be in such company after a stellar year, per Sky Sports' Martin Laurence.

Victory for Barca at the Club World Cup would top off a magnificent year for the Blaugrana following their treble win in the 2014-15 season.

With Neymar, Suarez and Messi continually performing at an incredible level, they are undoubtedly favourites and could well be on for another amazing year in 2016.