Madrid crossing their fingers as Vinicius could deepen injury crisis

The 'FIFA virus' is back. Real Madrid could lose Vinicius for a few weeks after he picked up an injury in the South American World Cup qualifier between Colombia and Brazil in the early hours of Friday morning (CET). Carlo Ancelotti's player, while playing for Fernando Diniz, received a tackle in the opening stages and was later forced off due to injury.

Joao Pedro replaced him in the 27th minute, when he had already had time to provide an assist. He helped Martinelli to open the scoring long before Luis Diaz's brace fired Colombia past Brazil. The 'Merengue', before setting up his Arsenal compatriot, had hit the post just minutes into the game and looked in good shape to build on his good form against Valencia in La Liga.

On his way to the bench, he could be seen limping and with a slab of ice stuck to his left thigh. Speaking to the press after the game, he said that he believes it is the same injury as last time, when he was sidelined for more than a month with a femoral biceps injury in his right leg. 

Asked if he will be available for Argentina, Brazil's next opponent in this international break, he regretted that, from what the doctors have told him so far, he most likely will not. Leo Messi's national team, while he suffered an injury against Colombia, lost to Uruguay in a heated match. 

If the Brazilian winger's injury is confirmed, it would be a blow to a Real Madrid side that already has a long injury list that includes Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Aurelien Tchouameni, Kepa, Arda Guler and Eduardo Camavinga, whose knee injury has yet to be clarified.

 

November 17, 2023