Neymar, Not Lionel Messi, Is Barcelona's Future, Says Alessandro Del Piero

Juventus and Italy legend Alessandro del Piero has tipped Barcelona star Neymar for a grand future at the Camp Nou and says he'll one day overcome Lionel Messi as the Blaugrana's future.

Messi may be "the leader of Barca now," but after making his own gilded start to life in Catalonia, the "incredible" Neymar is "the leader of the future," Del Piero told Brazilian outlet Globoesporte (h/t Goal, report in French).

Alberto Saiz/Associated Press

Prior to Neymar's 2013 arrival in Spain, many questioned whether the former Santos starlet had the fortitude to be a European success. Two-and-a-half years later and such doubts have been proven way wide of the mark.

The 24-year-old has formed arguably the most devastating attack force in European club history alongside Messi and Luis Suarez, one Barcelona fans hope to see reigning for years to come:

However, Messi turns 29 this June, and the closer the Argentina ace gets to the "magic 30," the more fervent questions will become regarding how Barcelona will cope when he finally does take his leave of the club.

Those at the Camp Nou can assuredly look forward to squeezing at least a few more years of service out of their Rosario-born marvel, but Messi himself recently told FIFA TV he one day dreams of playing in his native Argentina (h/t Sun's Anthony Chapman):

"

Yes I’ve always said so [about returning to Argentina] because I’ve wanted that ever since I was a child and because of how things happened to me.

I didn’t do it when I was young because I happened to be in Europe with Barcelona. I’ve spent all my career here but I really would like to go back to Argentinian football one day. What will happen? Only god knows.

"

Messi's talent is a blessing and a curse in the understanding that his talents have helped guide Barcelona to seven La Liga titles, four Champions League crowns and three FIFA Club World Cups in the last 12 years.

The downside is that his presence is of course temporary, and Barca will have to eventually learn to cope without a player on whom they've grown to become quite reliant.

Luca Bruno/Associated Press

It's here that Neymar will successfully fill the void and take on the club's responsibilities as supreme puppeteer, according to Del Piero, but they'll be big boots to fill.

Granted, Messi has been absent for a large chunk of this season with a knee injury, but Neymar nevertheless sits alongside his team-mate as one of Europe's top scorers this term, per Bet365:

It was during that injury absence throughout October and early November 2015 that Neymar and Suarez tided Barca, and Neymar in particular thrived with a record of eight goals in five games with no Messi in sight.

That stretch of Barcelona sans Messi was a glimpse of what the club can expect out of their up-and-coming Balon d'Or contender when the all-time record scorer finally does take his leave. It won't be for some years, but Neymar is in preparation to take on one of the heaviest burdens in football.