Former Ghana international Bernard Dong-Bortey has disclosed that Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior is the most exciting young player in the world ahead of Barcelona’s Ansu Fati.
The Brazilian had his breakthrough last season, making 18 league appearances before joining the Spanish giants this term.
The 19-year-old has been one of the standout players for Real Madrid, scoring two goals in 19 La Liga games.
Barcelona's youngster Ansu Fati is enjoying his own breakthrough this term but after losing the Goal 2020 NxGn Award to Real Madrid’s Rodrygo on Tuesday, Bortey is confident Fati could suffer from playing in the shadows of six-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi.
"I watch Marcus Rashford and Vinicius Jnr a lot. I think Vinicius is the most exciting young player for me because to play for Real Madrid is not an easy thing. If you get the chance, you have to play your heart out. Vinicius is even making the first XI. He’ll be a great player one day,” Bortey told Goal on Wednesday.
"Fati is also good but there are the likes of Messi at Barcelona and you can only become the star man when Messi is not there. But at Real Madrid everybody has the chance to shine.”
He continued, "Everything is confidence. No matter your age, be it 15, 16. We can see Fati, he’s just a 17-year-old boy. The coach will give you the chance to show what you have but everything will be down to your confidence."
"If you have it, you can play with anyone, be it [Cristiano] Ronaldo, Messi or any kind of player. You can see Vinicius Jnr. We have a lot of young talented players who are coming to dominate world football. We have to encourage them."
Boatey warned the likes of Fati and Vinicius to be careful with media hype as they continue for their respective clubs.
"They would have to be careful with the media hype because hearing your name everywhere can get you swollen-headed. They also have to respect the game. They have to work hard, do self-training and not just rely on team training," the former Ghana international said.
"Looking at how the coronavirus has ground all the teams, as a young lad, you have to keep training on your own or else you may lose your touch.
"They must respect the people they work with and they must fear God too because he gave them the talent. They must also respect the fans and the media who carry them higher."
Bortey won four Ghana Premier League titles with Hearts of Oak as well as the goal-king award in 2002.
He also featured for Al Wasl FC of the United Arab Emirates, Bnei Sakhnin of Israel, Vietnamese side CLB Song Lam and The Panthers of Equatorial Guinea in a series of brief, unsuccessful stints abroad.