Vinicius Jr injury update: Brazil star out with hamstring tear, will miss Real Madrid Champions League matches

Real Madrid have had a poor run of injuries at the start of the 2023/24 campaign.

Having already lost goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender Eder Militao for the season to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, they could now be without one of the world’s most prolific and talented attacking players for an extended period of time.

Vinicius Jr. was forced out of Brazil’s defeat in Colombia on November 17 after 27 minutes with a hamstring injury. It is the second such injury for the player, who pulled up with an issue 18 minutes into Madrid’s La Liga match against Celta Vigo on August 25 and missed four subsequent games.

The 23-year-old’s absence will weaken the Real Madrid attack during their scheduled run of seven matches in the Spanish top flight and UEFA Champions League between November 26 and December 21.

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Vinicius Jr injury latest news, updates

After Vinicius Jr was replaced by Brighton & Hove Albion striker Joao Pedro against Colombia, Madrid issued an update following tests by their medical team.

“He has been diagnosed with a tear in the femoral biceps, with involvement of the distal tendon in his left leg,” the club said, describing their analysis as “pending”.

The news has led to reports in the Spanish press that Vinicius Jr could miss around two months of the season.

When will Vinicius Jr return from injury?

Madrid will hope Vinicius Jr’s injury turns out to be less serious than feared, but the timeline put on his recovery by some reports would make their Spanish Super Cup semifinal against Atletico Madrid on January 10 a possible date for his return.

A less hopeful reading could interpret his absence as lasting until Madrid play the same opponents in the league at the start of February.

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What matches will Vinicius Jr miss with hamstring injury?

In either of the timelines mentioned, Vinicius Jr will miss the remainder of Madrid’s Champions League group-stage campaign, in which they will host Napoli and visit Union Berlin.

The development has compounded Madrid’s misery after Eduardo Camavinga tore knee ligaments during the same international window for France.

Brazil, who have lost their last two matches, will definitely be without Vinicius Jr for their World Cup Qualifier at home to Argentina on November 22.

Games Vinicius Jr has missed or been ruled out of

This list will be updated.