Liverpool legend John Aldridge has taken aim at Brazil captain Neymar after his antics during victory over Mexico.

Aldridge has given a brutal verdict on Neymar, as he suggests football deserves a better candidate to succeed Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the leader of the game in the coming years.

"Neymar has ambitions to take over from Messi and Ronaldo as the greatest player in our game, but I believe it will be a dark day if achieves that aim," declared Aldridge to the Irish Independent.

"This guy has gone out of his way to tarnish his reputation at this summer's World Cup in Russia and I'm sure I have not been alone in wanting to jump through the TV and give the little clown a slap for some of his antics.

"There is no doubt that Neymar is a good player and when he does what he does best, he is a great to watch, but I could not stand some of the antics he got up to in the group stages.

"He is terrible at diving and yet tries to do it any time an opponent goes near him, with theatrics when he hits the floor as he rolls… and rolls…. and rolls and rolls is embarrassing.

"This is a guy blessed with incredible talent, but he has a horrible side to his character and as for his attitude towards referees, well something has to be done about it."