A Brazil legend has named five players he believes FC Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi is in the process of surpassing as the best player ever.
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Zico, a retired footballer who represented Brazil 71 times, believes the Argentine has begun to surpass some of the game's biggest legends.
"He is starting to surpass the level of Pele, Garrincha, Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer and Diego Maradona," Zico told Barca TV.
The Brazilian also backs countryman Neymar for remarkable achievements, and thinks the 24-year-old could win the FIFA Ballon d'Or award in the future.
"It would not be surprising at all if Neymar was named the best player in the world."
Zico enjoyed a great career at Flamengo between 1971 and 1983, scoring 123 goals in 212 matches, before taking his career to Italy.
The former attacking midfielder joined Udinese in the Serie A, finding the net 22 times in 39 games, and returned to Flamengo two years later.
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Zico scored 48 goals for Brazil between 1976 and 1986, and played in three FIFA World Cups for the Selecao.
Do you agree with Zico's comments, or do you believe Messi has already surpassed these greats? Let us know in the comments section below.
