AFP, RIO DE JANEIRO: Neymar's world record transfer to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona was a step backwards in his career, according to ex-Brazil star Ronaldo.

“He's at PSG now, but sports-wise, this decision he's taken is a step backwards,” the 2002 World Player of the Year said in an interview with former international Zico's youtube channel.

“He was at Barcelona and he left for PSG. I played at Barca, but I left for Inter Milan when the Italian league was a lot more competitive.”

Ronaldo, a two-time World Cup winner with Brazil (1994, 2002), spent the 1996-97 season with Barcelona after joining from PSV and then moved to Inter, returning to Spain in 2002 for Real Madrid for five seasons. He went on to play a further year with AC Milan before ending his career at Corinthians. Neymar cost PSG a world record 222 million euros ($264 million) in August when he joined from Barcelona. Ronaldo added that he would like to see Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus installed up front for Brazil.