'Other-worldly' Neymar and Ronaldo on the same level as Messi - Casemiro

All three superstars are in the last 16 with their respective nations and Brazil's midfield rock believes there is little to choose between them

Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar are "from another world", with the duo rated at the same level as Lionel Messi by midfielder Casemiro.

Neymar's Brazil take on in the World Cup's round of 16 having looked increasingly strong in the group stages of 2018.

Ronaldo and Messi also remain in the tournament, with and on track to meet in the quarter-finals if they come through ties with and respectively on Saturday.

Neymar carries Brazil's hopes of extinguishing the demons of four years ago, when they were crushed 7-1 in the semi-finals by on home soil without their injured talisman.

And midfielder Casemiro is under no illusions about the importance to Brazil of Neymar, who has been linked with a move to the LaLiga giants, where he could join forces with Ronaldo.

"Well, the two players are exceptional players," Casemiro told reporters of Ronaldo and Neymar.

"The two of them can change the result of a game at any point. In my opinion, they come from another world.

"They are among the three best in the world: Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar are the three best players in the world and I'm happy I have one of them playing alongside me.

"And so, speaking about Neymar, he can change the result of a game at any point in time and that’s why he’s considered one of the three best in the world."

My little boy pic.twitter.com/jaaTTCK8Da — Neymar Jr (@neymarjr) June 28, 2018

Brazil are rated by many as the favourites to win the World Cup and add to their five titles, but Casemiro said that status will not be important for Tite's side.

"With all due respect, you [the media] are the ones talking about favourites," Casemiro added. "We players are very well aware that being a favourite won't win you a game, that your jersey won't win you a game.

"We have a very good example of Germany, with all the players they have - they were favourites in the beginning of the World Cup and didn't go beyond the first phase. So we're very relaxed - not only me but all of the other players, our excellent players.

"We have played for teams that are considered favourites as well. We're used to being considered favourites, but with all due respect and very humbly, we know that we have a good team but we have to play very well to beat Mexico."