Vinicius Junior is set to be sidelined for around 10 weeks after suffering a thigh injury in Brazil’s World Cup qualifying defeat against Colombia.
The Real Madrid forward limped off in the 27th minute of Thursday’s 2-1 loss.
Initial tests by Brazil doctors revealed a left thigh injury similar to the one he suffered in his right leg earlier this year, which sidelined him for only four weeks.
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An early prognosis this time was six weeks on the sidelines but Real Madrid confirmed on Saturday that a further scan also showed impact on the tendon in his hamstring, meaning the 23-year-old is now likely to be out for around two and a half months.
A Real Madrid statement said that the forward had been diagnosed “with a tear in the femoral biceps with involvement of the distal tendon in his left leg.”
Vinicius Jr has made 13 appearances in all competitions for his club so far this season, scoring six goals and recording four assists.
He had provided the assist for Gabriel Martinelli’s early opener for Brazil but his game was cut short before the half-hour mark after he pulled up with apparent muscular discomfort — forcing him out of Tuesday night’s match-up against Argentina.
“We will return stronger,” Vinicius Jr posted on his social media accounts on Friday.
Volveremos más fuerte!! 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/tSbhv1Pagl
— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) November 17, 2023
A quickfire double from Liverpool winger Luis Diaz late in the second half secured a stunning comeback win for Colombia, leaving Brazil with just seven points from their opening five World Cup qualification games.
Vinicius Jr last month signed a new contract that will keep him at Real Madrid until 2027. The winger joined the Spanish club from Flamengo in 2018 and has since become one of the side’s most important players.
He scored 23 goals and provided 21 assists for Carlo Ancelotti’s side last term.
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(Photo: Pedro Vilela/Getty Images)
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