Neymar is seemingly a mix between the two modern day idols, with his game blending creativity and goal-scoring threat.

Pele believes that makes him more Messi than Ronaldo, with his fellow countryman getting more involved in build-up play than being an out-and-out frontman.

The three-time World Cup winner told ESPN: "Neymar has been compared with Cristiano Ronaldo. So I've said several times, told friends, in Europe, given interviews... Cristiano Ronaldo is an excellent player, he could be like our Vava, our Coutinho, the finisher.

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"Neymar is really more of a Messi-style, one who constructs the play, but scores the goal also."

Brazil are hoping that their star man will be fit in time for the World Cup as they aim to go far in the competition in Russia.