Ronaldinho Compares Lionel Messi and Neymar, Talks Barcelona, Future Plans

Former Brazil and Barcelona star Ronaldinho believes that Neymar will one day be as good as Camp Nou team-mate Lionel Messi but said his compatriot is "unfortunate" to play in the same era as the Argentinian.

Per Sport's Albert Masnou, Ronaldinho did not name Messi as the best player of all time but said he "is the best of now," while labelling himself the best of his own era: "Each player has their time. Garrincha, Maradona... Leo's up there with them all. I was also the best. Each person has their time. In my era it was me."

He added that Neymar, 24, would in time be recognised as the best player of his particular era, via Bleacher Report UK: 

Ronaldinho, 36, has not been attached to a club since he left Fluminense in September last year, but he revealed that he still has plans to play on for another season. 

He has never quite reached the heights he did during his five-year spell at Barca between 2003 and 2008, when he won two LaLiga titles, a UEFA Champions League and was named FIFA World Player of the Year twice.

Alex Caparros/Getty Images

He was a key part of the revolution at Barca that has since seen them be the dominant force in European football for the last decade, and he said he is "really happy" to be remembered as one of the players that changed the club's history.

Per Masnou, Ronaldinho also indicated that he could yet finish his career in the United States, while he admitted to having other plans outside of football:

"

I'm looking at what we're going to do to end my career. The idea is to play one more. I'm immersed in new projects, related with music and football which, as you know, are my two passions. I'm looking at new things which I've always liked and we'll see what we do this year.

I've had the chance to play here [in the U.S.] many times. I have a lot of friends, many directors at clubs. And now I've got the chance to play here again. It's an option, but what I most want is to have the chance to travel, to promote the things I want to do. And as I said to you, I was speaking of music, but also of other things related to football, like schools for kids all over the world. We will see. In any case, whatever I choose this year must be compatible with all my interests. 

"

Since Ronaldinho played a key role in Frank Rijkaard's Barcelona winning the Champions League in 2006, the Catalan giants have won the famed trophy three more times.

Pep Guardiola masterminded two of those triumphs, while current manager Luis Enrique saw Barca to victory in 2015.

Also back-to-back LaLiga champions in the last two seasons, Ronaldinho believes the current Blaugrana side compares to the best in history: "It's one of the best of all time. They have great players and it's a joy to watch them play. A pleasure."

They have started the 2016-17 season in predictably serene fashion, winning two games from two in LaLiga—a 6-2 thrashing of Real Betis and 1-0 away defeat of Athletic Bilbao.

Unquestionably, the aim for Enrique's side this season will be to win the domestic title again and wrestle the Champions League back from rivals Real Madrid, a feat that would further strengthen Messi, Neymar and Co.'s "best of all time" tag.