Neymar has revealed that him and Lionel Messi sometimes discuss meeting each other in the World Cup final.

Brazil and Argentina head to Qatar this winter many bookies’ favourites with Brazil possessing a typically imperious-looking squad and Argentina not having lost in 35 games.

The two superstars are currently team-mates at Paris Saint Germain while they have been friends for the best part of a decade, since Neymar arrived in Barcelona nine years ago.

Neymar said him and Lionel Messi sometimes joke about meeting in the final of the World Cup

The two have been long-time friends and a meeting at the World Cup would prove to be a monumental clash of talent

Speaking to The Telegraph ahead of the tournament which kicks off on Sunday, Neymar revealed the conversations they sometimes have – before declaring it a ‘pleasure’ to play alongside the Argentine and Kylian Mbappe.

‘We don’t discuss it very much but sometimes we joke about crossing paths with each other in the final,’ he said.

‘I tell him (Messi) that I’ll be champion and win against him and we have a good laugh. Playing with him and Kylian is a huge pleasure. They’re two greats, with Messi long considered the best in the world.

So far, neither has been able to quench the thirst their two nations have for another World Cup triumph

‘Kylian is a young player who’s been growing and showing his potential and still has a lot to grow. It’s always great to play alongside the greats, I’ve always preferred that because the chances of winning are higher.’

Neymar and Messi find themselves under increasing pressure to deliver for their two countries, both of which have an insatiable desire to taste success on the biggest stage of all.

Brazil have not lifted the trophy since 2002 meanwhile Argentina have to go back even further, to 1986, for their last triumph.

Neymar said he has become better at dealing with the pressure that has been foisted upon him essentially since he was 17.

Neymar said France – led by the talent of Kylian Mbappe – and Argentina are among those able to challenge Brazil

‘You learn with everything you experience in life, from your mistakes along the way. No one’s born perfect and no one becomes perfect but you grow as life throws obstacles in your way,’ he said.  ‘So it’s much easier to deal with this as the person I am today compared to when I was 22 or 23.’

To be considered the greatest players to hail from the two footballing behemoths, it is thought that they will have to match the achievements of Pele and Diego Maradona and lift football’s biggest prize.

Neymar believes the biggest threats to Brazil’s chances of lifting their sixth World Cup are Argentina, Germany, Spain and France.

The Brazilian appears crestfallen as his country are eliminated from the World Cup in 2018

‘The World Cup is full of surprises,’ he said. ‘You get teams that unexpectedly get very far even in the competition even if many don’t believe in them.

‘But I believe the favourites are Argentina, Germany, Spain and France. I think those four along with Brazil are fully capable of reaching the final.’

‘I really forgot about England but obviously they have a chance!’ he added.

‘I really like (Harry) Kane and (Jadon) Sancho. They’re two incredible players and I have a special love for them because I like players that have their qualities.’

Sancho was left out of the squad by Gareth Southgate after failing to do enough in the period between August and the season breaking for the unusual winter tournament.

It is likely Brazil and Argentina, should they both, as expected, top their group, will meet in the semi-finals of the tournament. Not since Italia 90, when Argentina knocked Brazil out in the last 16 thanks to a goal from Claudio Caniggia, have the two great rivals met at the World Cup.

Neymar said Harry Kane and Jadon Sancho are the two players from England he admires most