De Bruyne has been outstanding for City this season, notching up six assists and scoring twice with Pep Guardiola’s side currently sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League table.

And Martinez thinks that if he can maintain his current level, the 26-year-old will prove once and for all he is one of the greatest players in the game.

“Absolutely [he can]," Martinez told ESPN while away on international duty.

“I think when you see the players that you mention [Messi and Ronaldo], obviously you [have to] become consistent with your performances in order to reach that level. That happens over the course of a few seasons.

“The level of performance that Kevin is having this season [and] the level of performance he had last campaign shows you that he has the potential of reaching those highs. And there are not many players that you could say that about.”

The story of the start of the 2017/18 Premier League season Show all 8 1 /8 The story of the start of the 2017/18 Premier League season The story of the start of the 2017/18 Premier League season The story of the start of the 2017/18 Premier League season How did the Premier League's big seven clubs begin the new campaign? Getty The story of the start of the 2017/18 Premier League season Everton (16th after 7 matches) Everton made a slow start to the season, despite spending over £133m on new signings. They drew with City before heavy defeats to Chelsea, Spurs and United. Getty Images The story of the start of the 2017/18 Premier League season Liverpool (7th) Liverpool's form remains as erratic as ever. A 4-0 win over Arsenal seemed to indicate that they had turned a corner, before a chastising 5-0 loss away to City. AFP/Getty Images The story of the start of the 2017/18 Premier League season Arsenal (5th) The alarm bells were ringing after successive defeats to Stoke and then Liverpool. But Arsene Wenger's side bounced back and held Chelsea to a draw at Stamford Bridge. Getty Images The story of the start of the 2017/18 Premier League season Chelsea (4th) The defending champions have found things more difficult this season and lost two of their opening seven fixtures - to Burnley and Manchester City. AFP/Getty Images The story of the start of the 2017/18 Premier League season Tottenham (3rd) Oh, if only Tottenham weren't playing at Wembley. Their away form has been superb with four wins out of four but they remain without a win at Wembley. Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I The story of the start of the 2017/18 Premier League season Manchester United (2nd) United have finally found a way to turn draws into wins. A 4-0 victory over Everton is the highlight so far; a 2-2 draw with Stoke the only blot on their copybook. Getty Images The story of the start of the 2017/18 Premier League season Manchester City (1st) The Premier League leaders on goal difference. City have been in scintillating form, winning six of their opening seven matches and scoring no fewer than 22 goals. AFP/Getty Images

Martinez also credited Guardiola with the midfielder’s recent improvement, hailing the ‘special connection’ between the par.

“I think that you can see that he's got a real special connection [with Guardiola],” Martinez added.

De Bruyne has previously credited Guardiola for making him a better player (Getty)

“When a manager and a player hit the same way of thinking they become almost a manager on the pitch. I think Kevin De Bruyne's performances are exactly what the manager wants.

“[Guardiola] gets the best out of Kevin and Kevin is a player that is ready now to take that role and make a big, big difference on the pitch.