Former Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes believes young winger Vinicius Junior can develop into a "world-class player" after making an impressive start to life in the Spanish capital.
The Brazilian completed a €45million move to Madrid in July 2018 and, after a slow start, has made a huge impact in recent weeks with Gareth Bale injured and Isco out of favour with coach Santiago Solari.
The 18-year-old scored his second LaLiga goal of the season in Sunday's 3-0 victory over Deportivo Alaves and started the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona on Wednesday.
Morientes said: "We were all keen to see Vinicius play, to see how he develops. I think he's a very impressive player, he's very good in one-on-ones and making runs.
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"He's still very young, we need time to see the kind of player he will be but if he continues to play the way he is now he'll be a world-class player, no doubt.
"We should give him time though, you can't burden such a young player with too much responsibility especially at a club like Real Madrid."
Morientes says Vinicius reminds him of Savio - the former winger who claimed three Champions League crowns with Madrid around the turn of the century.
"Obviously Savio was a little older but they have similar traits; daring, pace on the ball and one-on-one ability," added Morientes.
"And they're both Brazilians, of course. Both came from a very different football style in Brazil, but they adapted quickly.
"So I'd say Vinicius reminds me of Savio, for their playing style and their position out on the left."
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Morientes used to play with Solari at the Santiago Bernabeu and has huge admiration for how the Argentine used to conduct himself.
He said: "Solari was a great team-mate. A very nice, friendly guy.
"He liked to joke around. But he was also a very hard worker, a top professional, the kind of guy you always want in your team both when he's playing and when he's not.
"He always contributed, and not just on the pitch. A great player and a great team-mate, both on and off the pitch."
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