Manchester, Oct 5 (IANS): English club Manchester City's star striker Sergio Aguero is up there with contemporary footballing superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo among the best players in the world, according to his club manager Manuel Pellegrini.

Aguero scored five goals in 20 minutes as City thrashed Newcastle United 6-1 in an English Premier League match on Saturday.

Last season's golden boot winner had made a slow start to the season, but his haul took his tally to six in the league.

“After what we have seen against Newcastle of course Aguero is at that level," Pellegrini was quoted as saying by goal.com on Sunday.

"I have already said that, after Ronaldo and Messi, he is the best player in the world. But the important thing - not only for him but as a team - is that we must continue to improve,” he said.

The City manager further added, “We need to win the Premier League again and to win the Champions League, because Messi and Ronaldo are always involved in that competition and that’s very important for a player.”