The publication also reported that Neymar preferred his reign in Spain in spite of his stellar performance in Ligue 1, where he has 27 goals and 18 assists in just 29 appearances.
"[But] excluding him [Ronaldo] and me, the best players in the world are Mbappe, Neymar, Hazard, Suarez and Kun [Aguero]." Messi won his sixth Ballon D' Or last year ahead of Ronaldo and Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk.
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone admits he would rather sign Neymar ahead of Kylian Mbappe. Paris Saint-Germain spent over £350 million on signing the duo who are widely regarded as two of the best attackers in world football.
Speaking about Messi's Inter Miami move, Neymar said (via Albiceleste Talk Twitter): "Messi to Miami? I knew that. Messi is one of my best friends and a gift the ball gave me. I had the chance to play with him, and then we became friends.
Carlos, a former Real Madrid star, also named the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Neymar and Robinho as the players with the best free-style skills in world football.
"Of course we fight with everyone, with Neymar, with Messi, Lewandowski, Higuain, with the best players in the world. This is not 'fighting' but it's healthy. We fight to be the best.
"I have told Neymar that he has had a great season and that he is a great player," Coutinho told Movistar after winning the Champions League. "He will fight many more times both for this and for the title of the best player in the world."
Regardless of your opinion on Neymar's career, the Brazilian was certainly one of the world's best players at his peak. With such status, as can probably be imagined, come many records.
Al-Hilal forward Neymar has claimed that he experienced "hell" alongside Lionel Messi at Paris Saint-Germain. Neymar admits that the two of them failed to "make history" in France.
Atalanta tried their best to kick him out of the game: Neymar also won nine fouls, more than any player in a single Champions League match this season.
Neymar also added that when he first arrived at the club Messi told him "I'm here to help you" and advised him not to fear any of his team-mates or be shy. Paris-Saint Germain recently ruled out selling both Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
"Neymar is not a Real Madrid player. "The important thing is the players who are here. I will settle with what I have. I have spoken with the person who has to do things. "I have the best players here, no doubt - I always say that.
I used to call him 'Golden Boy,'" Neymar said. "I always played with him, said he was going to be one of the best. I always helped him, talked to him, he came to my place, and we had dinner together.