The matches of Real Madrid Vinicius Junior could be missed due to injury

Real Madrid may have made an average start to their defenses of the La Liga and Champions League titles last season, but they haven’t been helped by a host of injuries in the opening months of the 2024/25 season.

Los Blancos were perfectly balanced last season as they claimed the double, but knocks to David Alaba, Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao have meant manager Carlo Ancelotti has often had to reshuffle his pack.

They have work to do in Spain and Europe, but Madrid received a blow after theirs 3-0 victory at Leganés when talisman came forward Vinicius Junior had injured his hamstring and may not be available again until the new year.

With some huge games on the horizon, here are the games that Vinicius could miss while still on the sidelines.

Vinicius is no stranger to injuries. He played 39 games for Madrid last season, a drop from the previous two campaigns when he made 52 and 55 appearances, but still enjoyed his best goalscoring season at the Bernabeu with 24 goals in all competitions.

It wasn’t enough to hand the 24-year-old a maiden Ballon d’Or triumph, a decision that was almost like an insult from the Brazilian superstar – and his pursuit of next year’s Ballon d’Or has already been rocked by a hamstring injury.

As for the immediate future, Vinicius has ruled out one of the most glamorous Champions League possible ties in the battle of Madrid Liverpool Wednesday at Anfield. The winger scored twice in the Whites’ last trip to Merseyside, earning them a draw after Darwin Núñez and Mohamed Salah had fired the Reds into a 2-0 lead. It ended 5-2 for the visitors on that February day in 2023, but this week’s result would be truly shocking, given the two teams’ respective spells of form so far in 2024/25.

Madrid have only lost one of their last 21 games with Getafe and they don’t expect to drop points at the Bernabéu even without Vinicius. It will be more difficult three days later when Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and co travel to Bilbao to face each other Athletic Club.

Champions League knockout surprise Girona they have found their feet after a rocky start to the campaign and have some crafty attackers they could provide Madrid with a series of problems, while a trip to the Italian city of Bergamo soon after will be fascinating.

The Champions League and Europa League winners have already faced each other this campaign, with Mbappé scoring his first goal for Madrid. with a 2-0 win to win the UEFA Super Cupbut Atalanta they are capable of making life difficult for the best teams around and their meeting at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia is truly attractive.

Rayo Vallecano They have proved troublesome customers for Madrid of late, with last season’s games ending in two draws, and the likely absence of Vinicius will mean manager Ancelotti will need stars elsewhere in his squad to go into the derby the Spanish capital.

As reigning European champions, Madrid will play in the final of the new FIFA Intercontinental Cup, which replaced the reformed Club World Cup, on December 18 in Qatar. Their opponent is not confirmed but is likely to be the winner of the 2024 Copa Libertadores: Botafogo or Atletico Mineiro.

Madrid’s last game before Christmas is a home clash Sevillewho have fallen into the bottom half of the League in recent years. Barca’s points deficit at the top of the division has narrowed in recent game weeks and Los Blancos could very well head into the winter break having usurped their Clasico rivals.

Vinicius’ partnership with Mbappé has been one of the talking points of the season, but the French captain will now have the chance to lead his side in attack.

Madrid have no games scheduled between Christmas Day and the first week of January, meaning Vinicius has time over the festive period to complete his rehabilitation and be fit for the start of the Spanish Super Cup the first month of 2025.

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