Real Madrid take another injury hit as Vinicius will miss 10 weeks

Real Madrid have to add another key player to their long-term injury list – Brazilian striker Vinicius Jr. will be sidelined for two and a half months with a hamstring injury, ESPN reported on Saturday.

"[Vinícius] has been diagnosed with a tear in his left femoral bicep which is affecting the tendon in his hamstring," Real said in a statement. "His recovery will be monitored."

The injury happened during the 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier game between Brazil and Colombia at Roberto Melendez Metropolitan Stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia, on Thursday. Brazil lost 2-1 in their first ever competitive defeat to Colombia.

Earlier this season, Vinicius Jr. injured his right leg in a less serious way, but it still kept him playing for a month between August and September. That's why he has made only 13 appearances for Real so far in the 2023-24 campaign. He scored six goals and delivered four assists.

"We will come back stronger," Vinicius Jr. posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The 23-year-old Brazilian became Real's ninth injured player of their regular rotations. Eduardo Camavinga tore a ligament in his right knee while training with France. Jude Bellingham dislocated his shoulder. Aurelien Tchouameni suffered a stress fracture in his left foot. Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and Arda Guler have all been dealing with knee injuries as well.

Real are currently in the second place in La Liga and two points behind Girona after 13 games. They have five more La Liga games to play in 2023, two at home. The highest-ranking opponent will be Real Betis in the seventh place.

Real have won all four of their UEFA Champions League games so far this season and lead Group C with five points. They will host the second-placed Napoli at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on November 29 and visit Stadion An der Alten Försterei to play against Union Berlin on December 12.