The Brazilian striker scored twice yesterday as City ran riot at the Etihad, beating Stoke 7-2.
The 20-year-old has now scored seven goals this season and Murphy couldn’t speak more highly of him.
“He loves scoring goals," he said.
"He is continually in the right place at the right time, his touch is good, his balance is good.
“He's brave on the ball, he's quick, his left foot's decent and he demands the ball off people.
"I'd go as far as to say he's probably the best young player I've seen since Messi.
"I'm not saying he's as good as Messi, but since Messi.”
Jesus arrived in Manchester from Palmeiras for £27m in January and hit the ground running, scoring seven times before the end of the season.
He’s been in incredible form this campaign, particularly in the absence of the injured Sergio Aguero, and Murphy thinks he could go on to be one of the best.
He added: "I think, at 20 years of age, he's absolutely sensational. 13 goals in 15 starts, which is incredible.
“He's already got seven in 11 for Brazil. He's keeping some unbelievable players out of that national team.
"I was talking earlier in the week about who might get the Golden Boot this season. “People are saying Aguero, Lukaku or Kane - but you have to put this lad in."
Yesterday’s win was Pep Guardiola’s side’s ninth in a row and keeps them top of the Premier League, two points clear of neighbours Manchester United.
Manchester City face a busy run of fixtures, as they host Napoli in the Champions League on Tuesday before returning to Premier League action against Burnley at the weekend.
