DHAKA: The ex-Italy skipper Fabio Cannavaro, who won the tournament eight years ago does not think Lionel Messi can be considered better than Diego Maradona until he has won a World Cup. 

The Barcelona star failed to take the tournament by storm four years ago as the Maradona-coached Albiceleste reached the quarter-finals. 

Cannavaro, who lifted the World Cup as Azzurri skipper in 2006, acknowledged that Messi is a brilliant player but considers the 1986 World Cup winner to have the edge-at least until the 26-year-old lifts the greatest trophy in international football.     

"Messi? As I said, when you win the Champions League or the Ballon d'Or, you become a great player," he told reporters, reports goal.com.  

"But when you win a World Cup, a player becomes a legend. To be better than Maradona, Messi has to win the World Cup here in Brazil."  

The former centre-back also mused over Brazilian talent, insisting that Neymar needs to show more graft in games and claiming that the defensive partnership of Thiago Silva and David Luiz has no equal in world football.

"Neymar still needs to work a bit harder," he told reporters. "He's an excellent player, playing football that entertains people.

BDST: 1121 HRS, JUN 15, 2014