Madrid worried about Vini Jr

Vinicius remains doubtful for the match against Villarreal. After a rest day yesterday, the team returned to training at Valdebebas today. Many players were heavily loaded but still took part in the session, primarily engaging in light recovery work. However, one notable absence was Vinicius. There was no sign of him at the training ground, as he stayed inside the facilities due to discomfort, undergoing physiotherapy and gym work. At this point, his presence at La Cerámica is highly uncertain—just as it is for Brazil.

This uncertainty is significant, as Brazil faces a crucial international break, including a monumental clash against Argentina at the Monumental (in the early hours of Wednesday, November 26, Spanish time). Before that, the Canarinha will host Colombia. The stakes are high, with Brazil sitting fifth in the standings—just five points above the play-off spots—and facing two formidable opponents: top-ranked Argentina and fourth-placed Colombia.

Four Madrid players currently under microscope

The club is taking every possible precaution with Vinicius, avoiding unnecessary risks. He was the only absentee from the final training session before the Villarreal match. Despite the heavy muscular load many players are carrying, the rest of the squad trained as usual. Four players are notably more fatigued than the others—Rüdiger, Valverde, Bellingham, and Mbappé. Although they are expected to play against Villarreal, they are in need of rest. However, it remains uncertain when they will get a break.

The injured players—Mendy (expected to return within a month, with the goal of being fit for Arsenal), Carvajal, and Militão—were also absent from the session. There was no immediate reaction to the news of a call-up for Spain for Asencio, which emerged while the players were still training on the pitch and in full view of the press.

Although it was possible that the player concerned was informed at that moment, causing a brief pause in the session, that did not happen. The official notification is expected to come after training.

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Ancelotti reinforced the session by calling up youth players to add depth and intensity: Melvin, Diego Aguado, Valde, Yáñez, Jacobo Ortega, Fran González, and Mestre.

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