Deco says Real's forward trio couldn't get into the Barca team

Former Barcelona midfielder Deco says none of Real Madrid's forwards would get into the current Barcelona team.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema have scored 63 La Liga goals between them this season, compared to 69 from Barcelona trio Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

The two go head-to-head in El Clasico on Saturday night, and Deco, who played for Barcelona between 2004 and 2008, believes Luka Modric is the only Real Madrid player who would get into Luis Enrique's team.

"I would sign Modric for Barca because his way of playing fits with the style that exists at the club," he told Catalan newspaper Ara.

"He is a footballer who looks like [Andres] Iniesta and Xavi due to his way of playing, he has a similar style. The forwards [Ronaldo, Benzema and Bale] would not have a place at Barca."

Deco, who was born in Brazil but represented Portugal at international level, also paid tribute to Neymar.

The Barca star has 21 league goals this season, one less than Messi and five less than Suarez, but Deco believes he has the potential to become the best player in the world.

"I can't say too much from the outside, but he's certainly a great player who is still growing," Deco added.

"He's on the way to becoming one of the best players in the world, and in the future he could be No 1 because he's an incredible talent that plays for a big club.

"Messi has helped a lot with his adaption as well."