Real Madrid’s injury problems continued to mount as Vinícius Júnior was forced off with a hamstring injury during Brazil’s 2-1 World Cup qualifying defeat to Colombia on Thursday.
The Madrid forward provided an assist for Gabriel Martinelli to put Brazil in front, before being substituted in the 27th minute in Barranquilla.
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The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said tests on Friday confirmed that he had suffered a hamstring injury in his left thigh and he will miss Brazil’s World Cup qualifier against Argentina on Wednesday. Vini Jr. will return to Madrid in order to begin treatment with his club.
Vinícius’ injury comes two days after his Madrid teammate Eduardo Camavinga sustained a torn knee ligament in training with France.
Madrid are already without goalkeeper Kepa — who has a thigh injury — and Aurélien Tchouaméni, who has a broken bone in his left foot, as well as long-term absentees Thibaut Courtois and Éder Militão who both suffered ACL tears in August.
Jude Bellingham was also forced to withdraw from the England squad on Tuesday after injuring his shoulder during Madrid’s 5-1 win over Valencia.
Sources told ESPN that he was in less pain than when he suffered the hamstring problem in his right leg which kept him out for a month between August and September this season, but there was nonetheless concern about his prognosis.
“I think it’s the same injury as last time,” Vinícius said post-match. “I got a knock, and I felt it [again] later. I’ll have tests, to see what it is.
Vinícius has shown his best form of the season in recent games, scoring twice in Madrid’s 5-1 win over Valencia last Saturday.
Madrid are second in LaLiga with 13 games played, two points behind surprise leaders Girona, and top of Champions League group C with four wins out of four.
After the international break, they will travel to Cadiz in LaLiga on November 26, before hosting Napoli in the Champions League on Nov.2 and Granada in LaLiga on Dec. 2.
