Vinicius Junior was one of the standout figures for Real Madrid during Sunday’s 4–3 loss to FC Barcelona, a result that dealt a major blow to the club’s hopes of winning the 2024–25 La Liga title. With only three games remaining in the league, Real Madrid has now issued a worrying injury update on the Brazilian star.
The winger was a constant threat to Barcelona’s back line in El Clasico, providing two of the three assists that led to Kylian Mbappe’s hat trick. However, Vinicius has also come under scrutiny for his lack of defensive commitment—particularly during the buildup to Lamine Yamal’s goal, where his pressing was heavily questioned.
The situation became more concerning when Vinicius asked to be substituted in the 88th minute, while Real Madrid was still chasing a result. In the post-match press conference, head coach Carlo Ancelotti was asked about the moment and clarified the situation. “He had a sprain in his ankle. I made the substitution,” Ancelotti said, addressing speculation over whether the player or coach made the final call.
One day later, Real Madrid released an official medical update on the forward. “After the tests carried out today on our player Vinicius Jr. by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a sprain in his left ankle. Pending further evaluation,” the club announced in a statement on Monday.
Early reports suggest Vinicius is expected to miss Real Madrid’s next two matches against RCD Mallorca and Sevilla. Although the La Liga title is now virtually out of reach, this injury could also affect his availability for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, which begins in just under a month.
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Injury woes continue to plague Real Madrid late in the season
Injuries have been a persistent issue for Real Madrid throughout the 2024–25 campaign, and just as the season approaches its conclusion, the problems continue to mount. Vinicius now joins a long list of sidelined players who have been unavailable at critical points this year.
Including Vinicius, the club now has nine players currently out due to injury. The list features key starters such as Aurelien Tchouameni, Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga, David Alaba, and Lucas Vazquez—who is now dealing with a left pectineus muscle injury.
