Ronaldo: I hope Neymar surpasses me

The 2002 World Cup-winner expects the Barcelona forward to outdo his achievements for club and country, Goal.com reported.

Brazil legend Ronaldo believes Barcelona star Neymar is destined for greatness and can achieve even more success than him.

The 23-year-old netted once in Barca's 6-0 La Liga win over Getafe on Tuesday to equal Ronaldo's figure of 47 goals for the Catalans and the two-time World Cup winner thinks his compatriot will only get better in the years to come.

"I sincerely hope that Neymar will surpass me in all aspects," Ronaldo told ESPN Brasil.

"Neymar has a brilliant future ahead of him and is already performing marvellous at present.

"His performances will please the people of Brazil because he is a great idol."

Neymar has scored 29 times in La Liga, 10 goals in the Champions League, seven in the Copa del Rey and once in the Supercopa de Espana.

The majority of the former Santos man's goals have come in 2014-15, with Neymar already scoring 32 goals in all competitions this term.

Ronaldo wore the Barcelona jersey for just one season, 1996-97, during which he guided the Catalans to Supercopa de Espana, Copa del Rey and Cup Winners' Cup glory.

Neymar needs 19 more goals for Brazil's national team to equal the 38-year-old's tally at international level, too.

The Barcelona man currently sits fifth in his country's all-time top goalscorer charts with 43 strikes, with Pele leading the way on 77 goals.