Santos star Neymar says Barcelona remain the best team in the world.

Neymar could feature against Barca at the weekend in the final of the competition should the Spanish and European champions defeat Al Sadd in the other semi on Thursday.

"Barcelona are the best club in the world," he said. "If I have the opportunity to play them, I will be very happy and will try to win the game."

The 19-year-old has often been compared with Barca forward Lionel Messi and he is pleased to be adjudged to have as much potential as the Argentina international.

"To be compared with Messi makes me very proud and I'm very pleased to have this comparison," enthused Neymar.

"I'm very happy to have this opportunity to play at the Club World Cup and very happy to have the chance to be a new name in the history of Santos. It's an honour for me."