Vinicius Junior could be ruled out of action for longer than first feared with the injury that forced him off the pitch just 18 minutes into Real Madrid’s 1-0 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Vinicius pulled up after only ten minutes of the La Liga game and initially tried to carry on, but he eventually conceded defeat and was replaced by summer signing Joselu.
Without the Brazilian, Madrid struggled to create and Celta actually had more attempts at goal over the whole 90 minutes. It took another Jude Bellingham goal, but not until the closing stages, for Carlo Ancelotti’s side to maintain their perfect start to 2023/24.
Numerous reports in Spain have now suggested that Vinicius may have actually torn his hamstring, rather than simply tweaking the muscle. The winger rested over weekend in order to let the swelling reduce in preparation for a scan on Monday which should detect just how severe the apparent tear is.
Vinicius could be looking at a layoff of up to five weeks while he recovers. That potentially means he won’t play again before the end of September, ruling Madrid’s number seven out of the upcoming La Liga fixture against Getafe and a pair of 2026 World Cup qualifiers with Brazil as a minimum.
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After the international break, Madrid are due to play three further games in September, all of which could be in doubt for Vinicius depending on the results of the scan. That includes the visit of Real Sociedad, the city derby against Atletico at Wanda Metropolitano and at home against Las Palmas.
In among those games, Madrid also have their first Champions League match of the season when the group stage kicks off on September 19/20 – the draw will be made on Thursday.
Ancelotti was hopeful after the game that Vinicius won’t miss any matches beyond the international break: “He wanted to continue, so I don’t think it was something very serious. He won’t play for sure against Getafe, but I think he will be able to after the break. Without him, it was a bit more difficult.”
Madrid are already light in attacking areas, having seen Karim Benzema leave for Saudi Arabia without a proper replacement. Bellingham wasn’t bought to score goals, but the Englishman is carrying the team and has either scored or assisted five of the six La Liga goals so far.
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