Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks after suffering a thigh muscle injury during last Friday’s match at Celta Vigo.
Vinicius limped off early during the match against Celta Vigo which Real Madrid won 1-0, keeping them at the top of the La Liga table with a 100 per cent record after three games.
Real Madrid on Monday, August 28, confirmed their star man’s injury in a statement but did not specify the duration he was expected to be out of the squad. However, sources close to him, told Reuters and Athletics that he will be out for six weeks.
The statement read;
“Following tests carried out on Vini. Jr by the Real Madrid Medical Services, the player has been diagnosed with an injury to the right biceps femoris muscle. His progress will be monitored.”
The 23-year-old is likely to miss La Liga games against Getafe, Real Sociedad, Atletico Madrid, Las Palmas and Girona.
Vinicius is also set to miss at least one Champions League game, with the opening match set to take place the week commencing September 18.
Brazil will also have to cope without the services of one of their star players for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Peru.
News of Vinicius’ absence represents another setback for Real Madrid, who already have a growing list of absentees to contend with.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao both sustained anterior cruciate ligament injuries earlier this month and are set to miss the majority of the 2023-24 campaign.
Summer signing Arda Guler is yet to make his debut after picking up an injury in pre-season, while Ferland Mendy is also sidelined for Ancelotti’s side.