Real Madrid will likely have to make do without star forward Vinicius Jr. for a period of six weeks due to a thigh injury, reports Mario Cortegana of The Athletic.

Vinicius suffered an injury during Brazil’s World Cup qualifiers defeat to Colombia earlier this week, with the winger having been taken off in the first half itself.

Initial tests carried out in Brazil showed that the 23-year-old had suffered an injury similar to the one he had earlier this season, which had ruled him out for four weeks.

The difference, though, is that the previous injury was on the right thigh and this one affects his left thigh.

Initial reports had suggested that Vinicius’ injury was less serious than the previous one and he would again be out for close to a month.

But, following tests carried out in Madrid earlier today, it appears that the Brazilian international will be sidelined for around six weeks.

The club is yet to issue an official statement on the matter, but it is expected to arrive sometime later today.

This development comes as a blow for the Merengues, who have an important run of fixtures coming up after the international break.

As things stand, Real Madrid have as many as nine players on the injury list, of whom Dani Ceballos, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Jude Bellingham are expected to be ready right after the international break.

Meanwhile, both Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao are out for the long term.

As for Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Arda Guler, they are unlikely to play again in the remainder of 2023 and it appears that Vinicius could also be in the same boat.