Real Madrid News
Official: Real Madrid confirm Vinicius Jr.’s thigh injury; could be out until February 2024
In a devastating blow, Real Madrid have officially confirmed that star forward Vinicius Jr. has torn the femoral biceps muscle in his left thigh.
The injury occurred during Brazil’s game against Colombia in Barranquilla earlier this week, with the attacker being taken off in the first half itself.
Vinicius returned to Madrid and was examined by the club’s medical staff earlier today following which the worst possibility has been confirmed.
“Following tests carried out today on our player Vinicius Jr. by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a tear in the biceps femoris with involvement of the distal tendon in his left leg. Pending evolution,” the club’s statement read.
Out until February next year
Initially, it was expected that the forward could be out for only six weeks, but it appears that he will be on the treatment tables for much longer.
Journalist Arancha Rodriguez and several other reliable media personnel are reporting that Vinicius Jr. will be out on the sidelines for at least two and a half months.
This would essentially mean that the 23-year-old Real Madrid superstar will be out of action until February 2024 at the very least.
This comes as a major blow for Real Madrid considering how important the attacker is for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Vinicius had become the focal point in the Merengues’ attack this season following Karim Benzema’s departure and his absence will hurt the team at a crucial juncture in the season.
Not only will he miss several key La Liga games, but the 23-year-old will also be ruled out of the Spanish Super Cup in January as well as the early stages of the Copa del Rey.
The hope will be that the Brazilian returns in time for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, for which Real Madrid ahve already qualified.
Nico Paz was long hyped as Real Madrid Castilla’s brightest upcoming star. The media constantly kept the spotlight on the young Argentine through pre-season as he made a strong impression under Carlo Ancelotti in preseason.
His breakthrough eventually arrived, courtesy of Real Madrid’s injury crisis. He has now made two appearances for the team in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League and even recorded his first goal for the club earlier this week against Napoli.
Taking his chances
As revealed by AS (h/t The Madrid Zone), Paz has impressed management with his cameo against Napoli and will be called up for Real Madrid’s clash against Granada tomorrow.
In fact, there is a good chance he sees significant game time on the night.
After all, Ancelotti is without the likes of Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga in the middle of the park.
With Toni Kroos, Dani Ceballos, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham filling the starting spots, Paz serves as the manager’s first-choice backup off the bench.
Paz voices his elation
Paz’s introduction against Napoli changed the texture of the game, and it was only poetic that he got the goal that put Real Madrid ahead again on the night.
Speaking to the media after his special night, the Castilla star did not hold back on his emotions.
“This is a dream. For a moment I didn’t even believe it. Very happy to be able to help the team. I dared. I was in automatic mode, I didn’t even know what I was doing. I hit it and well.”
“This is also a message for the other youth players: it is possible to get there. Ancelotti congratulated me, and the whole staff. They are an incredible group and I want to thank them all,” he added, urging his Castilla teammates to keep pushing.
