Spain coach Javier Clemente says many journalists were wrong about Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr.

Speaking with El Larguero, Clemente recalled how many in the media wrote off the Brazilian as a young player.

He remarked: "Criticism? I'll tell you one thing about Vinicius, the first season he played for Real Madrid they already wanted to kick him out. The public too, and they were very good.

"And now what do they say about him? It has been a mistake made by many journalists. They said that he had to be fired because he was a 'wood', who didn't score a goal.

"Two years later it turns out that he is very good. There were many who made mistakes and no journalist has been fired from their job."

Clemente also discussed the La Roja selection for Barcelona teen Lamine Yamal.

He said, “Taking 16-year-old kids is worse than Gavi (called with hardly any experience). Unless you have a scary medical certificate, I wouldn't take a 16-year-old kid to play international matches. I think he still doesn't have a physique. They made a clean tackle on Ansu and raised his knee. A knee at 16 is not the same as at 21.

"You either take care of a player, or you let him get strong. It's the same with Pedri..."