Barcelona's Brazilian legend, Rivaldo, is adamant that Lionel Messi will follow in his footsteps.

The left-footed wizard from Brazil is currently plying his trade in the Uzbekistan League with Bunyodkor after a long and illustrious career with Barcelona.

In his time with the Catalan giants, he managed a season double in 1998 by winning the Copa del Rey and La Liga trophies before going on to win the 2002 FIFA World Cup with his country.

Speaking to Sport, Rivaldo said: "He [Messi] is very young and look at everything that he has already achieved. With his talent and youth he is destined to become a legendary player,' he said, according to Sport.

"His technical and physical conditions are very special, that's why he's so good. He is unstoppable.

"Surely it will take a World Cup win to take his place among the greats of football history, although this is relative. [Alfredo] Di Stefano and [Johan] Cruyff never won it won and both are considered two of the three best of all time."

Messi was the star in Barca's 6-1 trashing of Real Zaragoza at the weekend.