The Barcelona forward inspired the Albiceleste to a 4-3 victory against their arch-rivals, scoring two goals in the first half before deciding an end-to-end contest with a late strike to complete a hat-trick.
Neymar, who picked up two assists in the match, has often earned comparisons with Messi, but he admitted that the Argentine is at a higher level currently.
"It is very simple: Messi is the best in the world, and if you give him a little bit of space, he can do whatever he wants," Neymar told reporters.
"But this match was not a walk in the park, like many had predicted.
"We could have won the match, we had chances to score. We played well and we showed that we are on the right track."
The game marked the second time that Neymar has lost out to Messi in direct confrontation this season, after Barcelona thrashed Santos 4-0 in the Club World Cup final in December.
Your comments on this story...
Tell him that you're far behind in terms of matching his standard.
Even from the image you can see who's pulling who
@Mpoposhe...you really cant see punk, nobody is pulling anybody here, both players are fighting for the ball, try n look at their fingers punk...as for the kit exchange...that 32cm black n white tekefunken tv of yours was drunk
Am blessed to live in Messi era..
He's also magnificent on the pitch...
Swallow your pride old man because NEYMAR is nowhere near MESSI !!!
Thanks to Dstv that they've created a PVR so that we can tape and re-look, so i would advise you to go an check who approaches who for the t-shirt
Hail the little Argentine wizard! A real star!
I also admire Neymar's honesty and humility since he's something special himself.
Hail the little Argentine wizard! A real star!
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Yakwami ....when are producing our own South African wizard ?
Phela safa yilemiquba yama player kuBafana Bafana
Chief didn't want to reply to yo first comment cos of the vagueness it contained but was compelled by your 2nd one, it clearly showed that your opinion regarding who's the best between Messi & Neymar is biased since you dragged CR7 name in an article thats not about him
Although i respect canons of intellectual rigour, one of whose refrains is "play the ball and not the man", there is a compelling case of diversion when dealing with the caricatures like you.
So in future please spare me the drivel you've just uttered and come up with concrete facts
Sithi isiXhosa: Ikubeka imaqina mane