Gerardo Martino likens Neymar to Lionel Messi

Barcelona boss Gerardo Martino has compared Neymar to Lionel Messi, saying that both players are always outstanding, regardless of where they are asked to play.

The Brazilian scored in Saturday's 4-1 win over Real Valladolid, and Martino was quick to praise the player by likening him to the four-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi.

"He [Neymar] is a player that, like Messi, no matter whether he plays left, right or centre, always plays well," Martino told reporters after the match.

"Neymar dominates every facet of the game and keeps striving to improve. In two months, he has integrated into our system. It is very difficult to find such players of his age.

"I always had the feeling we were in charge. We only have to improve on the first 20 minutes."

Messi missed the game with a thigh injury.