Ronaldo Backs Neymar to Become World's Best and Says Real Madrid Need the Best

Brazil legend Ronaldo has suggested former club Real Madrid should do their utmost to sign Neymar from Paris Saint-Germain, per Liam Prenderville for the Mirror. 

Speaking at an event in London for the launch of the Nike Mercurial 360 football boots, which Neymar was also attending, Ronaldo made it clear Real should pursue the PSG star but stopped short of saying a move was in the offing.

"He is a superb player, maybe he will be the best in the world in a few years, and Real Madrid need the best," he said. "I haven't heard any official representative of Real say anything about Neymar."

Speculation regarding the Brazil international's future has mounted over the last few months, with reports increasingly indicating Neymar would be open to a return to La Liga.

Real Madrid are rumoured to be getting ready to sell some of their biggest stars to fund a move for the former Barcelona man, per Miguel Delaney for The Independent.

And in November 2017, Real manager Zinedine Zidane spoke positively about a potential move. "Neymar is a very good footballer, that's true," he said, per Russell Greaves for Goal. "As for the future? Who knows."

Ronaldo's comments came just a week before Real's Champions League round-of-16 first-leg match against PSG at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The fixture is one the former Real and Barca man is looking forward to.

"It's a very difficult game. I am a Real Madrid ambassador and obviously I want them to win, but on the other hand I like PSG and my great friend Neymar is there, and everyone loves him," he said, per Prenderville. "I don't have split loyalties, I hope it is a great game and the best team wins."

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

PSG are 11 points clear at the top of Ligue 1, but Unai Emery's side will be judged primarily on their performance in the Champions League. Neymar will reportedly be allowed to leave the club for Real should the French club win the competition this season, per Bruno Andrade for Goal.

Ronaldo alluded to the importance of this competition for PSG.

"The Champions League is a competition that they do well in and we will see how it ends, because everything changes very quickly in football," he said.

Neymar only joined PSG in August 2017, but as the rumours grow louder—with one of Real's most high-profile former players now getting involved in the discussion—a transfer this summer no longer appears to be out of the question.