Real Madrid will be without star forward Vinicius Junior for their crucial Champions League encounter against Liverpool on Wednesday, following a hamstring injury sustained during Sunday’s LaLiga match against Leganes. The Brazilian forward played the full 90 minutes in Madrid’s commanding 3-0 victory, but subsequent tests have revealed an issue in his left leg, ruling him out of the trip to Anfield.
Real Madrid Confirms Injury Diagnosis
On Monday morning, Real Madrid released a statement providing details about the injury:
“Following tests carried out today by the Real Madrid medical services on our player Vini Jr, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the biceps femoris in his left leg. His progress will be monitored.”
While the club has not specified the expected recovery period, Spanish media reports suggest the 24-year-old could be sidelined for up to a month, leaving Madrid without one of their most influential players during a critical stretch of the season.
A Huge Blow to Madrid’s Champions League Campaign
Vinicius’ absence is a significant setback for Carlo Ancelotti’s side as they prepare to face an in-form Liverpool team. The Reds currently sit at the top of their Champions League group with a perfect 12 points from four matches, while Madrid, the reigning Champions League holders, have struggled with inconsistency. They’ve won two and lost two in this year’s competition and are sitting 18th in the group table.
Vinicius has been a standout performer for Madrid this season, scoring 12 goals, including two hat-tricks in his last five appearances. His absence leaves a gap in Madrid’s attack, forcing Ancelotti to look to other options to replace his pace, creativity, and goal-scoring ability.
Tough Schedule Ahead for Real Madrid
Real Madrid’s immediate focus is on their trip to Anfield, but they’ll need to adjust quickly for their domestic commitments as well. The team, currently four points behind LaLiga leaders Barcelona with a game in hand, will host Getafe in a local derby on Sunday.
This injury also raises concerns about Vinicius’ availability for other important fixtures, including further Champions League matches and crucial league games as Madrid chase domestic and European success.
What’s Next for Madrid?
With Vinicius unavailable, the pressure will be on Madrid’s other attacking players to step up. Ancelotti will likely turn to Rodrygo, Joselu, or even Brahim Díaz to fill the void, while players like Jude Bellingham and Luka Modric will need to provide additional attacking impetus.
The match against Liverpool, a high-stakes clash between two European giants, will serve as a litmus test for Madrid’s depth and resilience as they navigate this challenging period without one of their brightest stars.