Barcelona ace Sergio Busquets has praised the impact Casemiro had for Real Madrid last season, describing his rival as one of the best defensive midfielders in the world.

Casemiro played 34 times for Los Blancos in La Liga and the Champions League in a famous double-winning campaign, providing some much-needed steel in the middle of the park.

Busquets believes that the Portuguese is right to be considered among the finest on the planet at what he does, while also hailing Chelsea midfield duo Nemanja Matic and N'Golo Kante for their part in the Blues' title-winning campaign.

"There are great midfielders in world football, and each one with their own style. No two players are the same," he told sc.qa. "In my position I would mention Casemiro, who is doing very well, Bruno plays very well in Villarreal, Chelsea have played a great season with Kante and Matic.

"A lot of players, Ander Herrera at Manchester United as well, but it would be difficult to choose only those five because every player is different."

Busquets featured heavily himself last season, being used 48 times in all competitions for Barca.