Real Madrid may be just days away from kicking off their Club World Cup campaign, but a fresh cloud of worry has appeared over Vinicius Junior, who limped off while playing for Brazil against Paraguay.
The injury comes at a critical time for Xabi Alonso, who is preparing for his first competitive tournament in charge of Los Blancos.
Brazil Beat Paraguay, But at a Cost
In a tough South American World Cup qualifier, Vinicius scored the match-winning goal, showcasing the same clinical form he displayed under Carlo Ancelotti at club level. His smart finish just before half-time marked the first goal of Ancelotti’s reign as Brazil coach and helped secure Brazil’s place at the 2026 World Cup.
However, the night took a turn for the worse with just 12 minutes to go, as Vinicius signaled discomfort and was swiftly taken off. Reports from Diario AS suggest he felt sharp pain in the back of his leg, raising injury fears ahead of the Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal.
Alonso Facing Selection Dilemma
Although Alonso has yet to confirm his starting XI, Vinicius was widely expected to start alongside Kylian Mbappe in what is being hailed as one of Europe’s most dangerous attacking duos.
With several Madrid players still recovering from injury, Alonso’s options are limited. Rodrygo Goes is available after being left out of Brazil duty by Ancelotti, and will likely step in if Vinicius doesn’t recover in time.
Vinicius Appears Optimistic Post-Match
Despite the worrying moment, Vinicius looked relaxed and smiled after the match, suggesting that the injury might not be too serious. He is suspended for Brazil’s next qualifier against Chile due to yellow card accumulation, so he will now focus entirely on recovery.
Real Madrid fans will be holding their breath, hoping that their Brazilian superstar can shake off the knock in time to shine in the Club World Cup.
MadridistasZone View:
This is not what Madridistas wanted to hear. Vinicius has been on fire and losing him just before a major tournament would be a huge blow. The fact that he looked relaxed after the game gives us hope, but the clock is ticking. Hopefully, it’s just a minor scare and not something serious.