Former Real Madrid forward Antonio Cassano has offered a scathing assessment of Vinicius Junior, claiming team-mate Rodrygo is a superior player.

Madrid continue their Champions League campaign on Wednesday as they visit the Stadio Olimpico to take on Roma in a meeting of two sides for whom Cassano played in his 18-year professional career.

Speaking to AS ahead of the game, Cassano was asked for his opinion on Vinicius, who continues to be a polarising figure in Madrid despite him scoring 129 goals in his time at the club and helping Los Blancos to three LaLiga titles and two Champions League crowns.

And Cassano is among those unimpressed by the Brazil forward.

“Vinicius is just a good player. I think Rodrygo is much better,” Cassano said in a wide-ranging interview. 

“I don’t know why people talk about Vinicius so much more than his team-mate. If Vinicius isn’t physically right, he doesn’t have much else to fall back on, and he’s not particularly clinical in front of goal.

“He scores goals, but he’s not a star. I think Rodrygo, if he’s healthy, should start ahead of him. I like him much more and I’m looking forward to having him back.”

Cassano was also highly critical of Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, who returned for a second spell in charge this summer.

Madrid have made an unconvincing start under Mourinho, and sit six points behind unbeaten Barcelona in LaLiga.

Asked about the clash between Mourinho’s Madrid and a Roma side led by Gian Piero Gasperini, Cassano made it clear he has very contrasting views on the two coaches.

“Roma and Real Madrid are two very different teams. For starters, Roma has a fantastic coach and Real Madrid doesn’t because Mourinho doesn’t like to play football, he only likes to talk,” said Cassano.

“It’s incredible that Real Madrid, the greatest team in history, signed Mourinho. I don’t understand how Florentino [Perez] chose him. It drives me crazy. 

“If we switched the coaches and Gasperini were on Real Madrid’s bench, Madrid would win 10-0.

“Gasperini has only won one Europa League, but I don’t care about trophies, I care about what I see on the field.

“Mourinho shouldn’t be coaching anymore. He’s been very lucky because none of his teams played well. His style of football expired 10 years ago.

“His career has left no legacy, only fights with everyone. He likes to talk about other things, but not football. One of his great advantages is having Jorge Mendes as his agent, because he always finds him good teams.”