Barcelona and Brazil forward Neymar has spoken about Lionel Messi and Tata Martino prior to the friendly against Argentina.
Messi and Neymar will be opposing captains for the match, which takes place on Saturday in Beijing.
Martino was appointed Argentina Coach following the World Cup, when Alejandro Sabella resigned after taking the Albiceleste to the final, where they were beaten by Germany.
Neymar has praised the former Barca Coach, as well as Messi, and revealed he and Messi have been teasing each other about the fixture.
“We’ve been making a game of it. We both say our team is going to win,” Mundo Deportivo quotes Neymar as saying in an interview with the Brazilian Press.
“I tell him he can score two or three goals but Brazil will still win.
“It’s difficult to say who is the favourite because Argentina have played together for some time and Brazil are reinventing the team.
“They are two great teams who will do their best to win. I don’t know if they’re more favourites than us but if so I hope to surprise the world.”
Neymar reserved a great deal of price for Messi, confirming his belief that he is the best player in the world and their relationship is growing by the game.
“Messi has struck me with everything he does on the pitch,” Neymar continued.
“His assistants, his runs, his goals…for me he is the best in the world.
“Every time we play we understand each other more. We’re showing that and hopefully it will continue to help Barca.”
Neymar also praised Martino, the Coach in his first year at Camp Nou before being replaced for this season by Luis Enrique.
“[Martino is] a great Coach. I worked with him for a year. Unfortunately it wasn’t our best year but he’s a great person and will do a lot for Argentina,” Neymar said.