Neymar reveals 'unforgettable' experience of when he met Maradona as a child

Neymar has opened up on how he fondly remembers one of his first meetings with Diego Maradona while just a child attending a legends game.

The football world is in mourning following the passing of Maradona last Wednesday with many paying their tributes to the 1986 World Cup winner.

Neymar revealed that although he had enjoyed many meetings with the Argentina legend it was during his very early teenage years as a youngster at Santos which left him with a great impression.

Maradona was featuring in a legends game against Brazil, and while there was no room on the Brazil bus for the travelling fan Neymar, he was made to feel welcome on the Argentina coach which featured the football great.

The Paris Saint-Germain star and Brazil international stated that the pair got on so well, Maradona even went out of his way to arrange a photograph during the event.

'I had just a few contacts with Maradona, but I'll never forget the one when I was 12 or 13 years old,' Neymar told Eleven Sports.

'I was just starting at Santos and I went to watch a show match between Brazil and Argentina - a game between former players.

'As the Brazilian team's bus were already full, I couldn't go with them, so they put me onto Argentina's bus. There were two guys highlighted in there, because they were sitting in the first seats: they were [Alejandro] Mancuso and Maradona.

'So they put me alongside them and treated me very well. So well that, when we arrived in the stadium, they took me to Argentina's locker room and onto the field.

'I even have a photo with Maradona, from when I was a little. He called me over to take that picture. I'll never forget his gesture.

'On the pitch he was an icon for everybody, sure. For me as well, but I've always respected him as an athlete and as a footballer. I will never forget that.'

Neymar has already been among those paying public tribute to Maradona's passing after warming up in a shirt against Bordeaux showing his face with text reading 'Bye number 10! Rest in peace' during the French top flight encounter last Saturday.