Vinícius Júnior given time off by Real Madrid

Carlo Ancelotti has decided to give Vinícius Júnior time off after a hectic and exhausting 48 hours. He is set to be rested for at least two days to distance himself from everything after the racial abuse he suffered at Mestalla on Sunday.

The Madrid forward is suspended for tomorrow’s league match with Rayo Vallecano and as ESPN has reported, his entourage has recommended that he leaves Spain for the time being. After the ugly scenes at Mestalla, the Brazilian player said: “I’m strong and I’ll go all the way against the racists... even if that is far from here”.

The worldwide support will have helped him in his ongoing battle with racism. “I will not give up. [...] I have a purpose in life and if I have to suffer more so that future generations do not go through similar situations, I am ready,” he wrote early this morning. Brazil turned off Christ the Redeemer in support of Vinícius.

Mariano on the way out?

Madrid forward Mariano Díaz is set to leave the club this summer and he hasn’t trained ahead of Wednesday’s game with Rayo due to injury. Álvaro Rodríguez has replaced him in the squad. Eden Hazard, who was also absent in Valencia, is back in training.