Real Madrid Superstar Earns ‘World-Class’ Praise from Barcelona Midfielder Ahead of El Clasico

Real Madrid and Barcelona are gearing up for their first El Clasico clash of the 2024/25 season, set for Saturday at Santiago Bernabeu. Ahead of this iconic showdown, Barcelona captain Frenkie de Jong has praised Real Madrid’s star forward, Vinicius Jr., calling him a “world-class” player.

In a pre-match interview with beIN SPORTS, De Jong emphasized Vinicius’ exceptional form and how Barcelona will need a united defensive effort to counter his impact. “He’s a fantastic player with high quality. We’ll need to stop him as a team,” stated De Jong, acknowledging Vinicius’ impressive performances, especially after his recent hat-trick against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

Despite some inconsistent results this season, Real Madrid remains a potent threat. De Jong added, “They’re one of the best teams in the world. We’re also doing well, so it’ll be an exciting match.”

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti may lean on veteran Luka Modric for this high-stakes encounter. Known for his experience and control on the ball, Modric could provide stability in midfield, working alongside Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde to balance Real Madrid’s attack and defense.

As the battle looms, Barcelona’s high-energy pressing under Hansi Flick poses a fresh challenge, while Real Madrid hopes to extend their recent success against their fierce rivals.