Ronaldinho backs Real Madrid starlet Vinicius Jr to be one of the top players in the world: 'He will soon be among the best'
- Ronaldinho believes Vinicius Jr is at one of the best clubs in the world to develop
- The Real Madrid forward is struggling for minutes under boss Zinedine Zidane
- Ronaldinho also spoke about the attributes of former team-mate Lionel Messi
- The World Cup winner is preparing to play two exhibition matches in Colombia
Former Brazil star Ronaldinho has backed compatriot Vinicius Jr to become one of the world's best players.
The 19-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough year at Real Madrid last season, but has struggled for minutes on the pitch so far this campaign under Zinedine Zidane.
But Ronaldinho, who won the 2002 World Cup and played for Real's rivals Barcelona, believes the forward is at one of the best clubs in the world to develop.
![Ronaldinho was speaking to reporters in Colombia ahead of two exhibition matches](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/10/17/11/19832248-7583629-Ronaldinho_was_speaking_to_reporters_in_Colombia_ahead_of_two_ex-m-12_1571309481182.jpg)
Ronaldinho was speaking to reporters in Colombia ahead of two exhibition matches
![Vinicus Jr has not been a regular in the starting XI for Zidane's Real Madrid so far this year](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/10/17/11/19832454-0-Vinicus_Jr_has_not_been_a_regular_in_the_starting_XI_for_Zidane_-m-6_1571308876073.jpg)
Vinicus Jr has not been a regular in the starting XI for Zidane's Real Madrid so far this year
Speaking ahead of playing two exhibition matches in Colombia, Ronaldinho said: '[Vinicius] is already at one of the best clubs in the world.
'I think he will soon be there, among the best.'
Ronaldinho, who played for Barcelona between 2003 and 2008, also complimented Lionel Messi.
The 39-year-old was team-mates with Messi for four years at Barca, but was famously turfed out by Pep Guardiola in order to allow the Argentine to flourish in attack.
'I think it is very important for every team to have a player who has this characteristic so that the attackers can receive good passes,' he said of Messi's passing vision.
![Ronaldinho was at Barcelona when Lionel Messi first broke through into the first-team](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/10/17/11/19833056-7583629-image-m-16_1571309778716.jpg)
Ronaldinho was at Barcelona when Lionel Messi first broke through into the first-team
Ahead of El Clasico on October 26, Ronaldinho hoped that the stars on both sides showed up.
There are doubts about the location of the match due to protests in the Catalan region - the match is scheduled to be held at Barcelona's Nou Camp.
Ronaldinho said of the game itself: 'I hope it's a great game, that it has many goals and that the big names show up.'
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