Losing Vinícius Júnior is a significant blow to Real Madrid, but the reigning Spanish and European champions are no strangers to excelling in the face of adversity.
Besides Kylian Mbappé's struggles, the main storyline dominating the early months of Real Madrid's 2024–25 season is the club's growing injury crisis. Eduardo Camavinga was out the first two months of the season while Jude Bellingham played one La Liga match in August before missing the next month. Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão then suffered season-ending ACL injuries, leaving Carlo Ancelotti's backline completely exposed.
Mbappé was also briefly sidelined with a thigh injury as Brahim Díaz, Dani Ceballos and Lucas Vázquez dealt with injuries of their own. Rodrygo has been in and out of the infirmary and Thibaut Courtois has played three of Real Madrid's last eight matches. Even Aurélien Tchouaméni is sidelined with an ankle injury.
Vinícius Júnior was one of the only constants in Ancelotti's ever-changing lineups and formations. The Brazilian featured in all 18 of Real Madrid's matches this season and leads the team in scoring with 12 goals and five assists across all competitions. In what feels like a cruel twist of fate for Madridistas, Los Blancos' best player is now the latest of Ancelotti's men to suffer an injury.
The club confirmed Vinícius Júnior sustained an injury to the biceps femoris in his left leg and is expected to miss up to four weeks.
