Brazil international expected to be available for Madrid’s upcoming league trip to Mallorca
Real Madrid have received a timely boost after Vinicius Junior avoided a serious injury while on international duty with Brazil.
The forward had raised concerns after missing training sessions in Orlando ahead of Brazil’s friendly against Croatia, instead working individually in the gym following complaints of muscular fatigue. He apparently picked up the issue during Brazil’s friendly against France.
However, sources in Spain have played down fears of a significant setback and the 25-year-old is expected to be available for Madrid’s upcoming league trip to Mallorca.
The update comes as a relief for head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who is already dealing with a stretched squad due to injuries this term.
Off the pitch, there has been little progress regarding Vinicius’ long-term future. Despite his importance to the team, contract talks have been on hold since the back end of last year. It is now thought that discussions will not resume until after the World Cup, when Vinicius will be into the final year of his contract.
While Madrid have avoided a major setback, Barcelona have not been as fortunate. Vinicius’s international teammate Raphinha is facing weeks on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury during the same friendly against France.
Barcelona confirmed the diagnosis in a statement: “Raphinha has a right hamstring injury, as confirmed by medical tests carried out by the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) following the discomfort he experienced during the Brazil v France match in Boston on Thursday.
“The player is returning to Barcelona to begin the appropriate treatment. The estimated recovery time is five weeks. He was forced to leave the pitch at half-time in a friendly game that ended in 2-1 defeat for the South Americans.”
The winger is now expected to miss several key fixtures for Barcelona, including both legs of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Atletico Madrid.
