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'Exceptional Neymar' on same level as Ronaldo and Messi – Zico

Neymar is exceptional and on the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo and his former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi, according to Brazil legend Zico.

The Paris Saint-Germain forward did not make the top 10 of the 2018 Ballon d'Or after struggling to make an impact at the World Cup having missed the end of the season with a fractured metatarsal.

Messi missed out on the podium for an award he and Ronaldo have won five times each, with the Portugal superstar beaten into second place by Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric.

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Neymar has often featured as a number 10 for PSG under new coach Thomas Tuchel this term despite typically featuring on the wing during his career, a position Zico feels is his strongest role.