Real Madrid star forward Vinícius Júnior will not feature in the much-anticipated Champions League showdown against Liverpool on Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, the Spanish club confirmed on Monday.
“After tests conducted today, our player Vinícius Júnior has been diagnosed by Real Madrid’s medical services with a hamstring injury in his left leg,” the club said in an official statement.
Reports from Spanish media suggest that the Brazilian winger, who has been in remarkable form this season, could be out for nearly a month. This means he will also miss Real Madrid’s upcoming Champions League game against Atalanta on December 10.
Vinícius sustained the injury despite playing the entire 90 minutes of Real Madrid’s 3-0 La Liga victory over Leganés on Sunday. During the match, he showcased his brilliance by providing the assist for Kylian Mbappé’s opening goal.
The 24-year-old Brazilian has been a standout performer for Madrid this season, often overshadowing summer signing Kylian Mbappé. Vinícius has scored four goals in as many Champions League appearances and has netted eight goals in 13 La Liga matches. His exceptional performances also earned him a second-place finish in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings.
Vinícius’s absence comes at a challenging time for Real Madrid, who are defending their Champions League title but have struggled in the competition this season. The team has suffered two defeats in their opening four group-stage matches, losing 1-0 to Lille and 3-1 at home to AC Milan. These results have left them languishing in 18th place in the expanded group-stage table.
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Fans and analysts alike recognize Vinícius’s importance to Madrid’s European campaign. His speed, creativity, and goal-scoring ability have been pivotal in their success, and his injury is a significant setback for the team.
While Madrid faces challenges, their opponents Liverpool have been in top form under new coach Arne Slot. The English side currently leads both the Champions League standings and the Premier League, making Wednesday’s match at Anfield a daunting task for Madrid.
Real Madrid will now look to other key players, including Mbappé and veteran Luka Modrić, to step up in Vinícius’s absence as they aim to reignite their European campaign. Fans will be hoping for a quick recovery for the Brazilian star, whose presence has been a game-changer for the Spanish giants.
Madrid’s supporters will undoubtedly feel the void left by Vinícius, but the team will need to rally together as they face a crucial period in their season.