REAL MADRID
Vinícius Júnior injury update: when will he play again for Real Madrid?
The Brazilian winger has been taking in NBA games during the winter break but will soon be back in action for Los Blancos.
Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior made it to a fifth and final NBA game, the Brooklyn Nets against the Milwaukee Bucks, before travelling back to Spain from New York. Giannis Antetokounmpo led his side to a 144-122 victory after the Brazilian had already headed along to see a classic match-up between the LA Lakers and the Boston Celtics, the LA Clippers against the Celtics, the Clippers face Oklahoma City Thunder and the Sacramento Kings take on the Phoenix Suns.
Vinícius “brand” growing in the United States
Vini was inevitably spotted court-side in the first few rows as he looks to grow his “brand” in North America, backed by his new management company Roc Nation, founded by Jay-Z.
Last summer, Roc Nation acquired Brazilian soccer agency TFM, run by Frederico Pena, the agent of both Vinícius and future Madrid forward Endrick, who are now well positioned to “break” the United States, where sports entertainment is worth big bucks. It was stateside, in fact, where several investment funds attempted to get a first Super League off the ground.
The 23-year-old is already making waves in the U.S., as proved by the ovation he received when he appeared on the big screen at Barclays Center during the Nets game. During his trip across the pond, Vini has been snapped with some of the NBA’s biggest stars, including his idol LeBron James, as well as Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, James Harden and Antetokounmpo. However, despite his adventures, he was still able to follow a strict recovery plan as he plots his comeback from injury, which is Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti’s main concern.
Brazilian targeting Spanish Super Cup
The attacker took his personal trainer, Thiago Lobo, with him to the U.S., and has been working hard at Los Angeles Galaxy’s training facilities, which he knows well after spending several pre-seasons there with Real Madrid.
And Vini’s efforts have paid dividends, with his return to action from a hamstring injury likely to take place ahead of schedule. Sources have revealed to AS the player expects to be in peak condition for the Spanish Super Cup, which runs between 10 and 14 January, which will be music to Ancelotti’s ears.
Vinícius expected to get game time against Real Mallorca
The Brazil international has been pencilled in for a few minutes in Los Blancos’ home game against Real Mallorca on 3 January and also in the Copa del Rey tie away to Arandina three days later. If everything goes according to plan, that could see him feature in the Super Cup semi-final against Atlético Madrid on 10 January, as well as a potential final against either Barcelona or Osasuna on 14 January.
Vinícius suffered the injury playing for Brazil in a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Colombia on 17 November. He was forced off in the 26th minute of the match in Barranquilla, with tests later revealing he had torn a hamstring muscle. The initial estimate was that he would be sidelined for two and a half months, although he is now expected to feature against Mallorca just 47 days later. The 2022 Champions League final match-winner has endured a frustrating season so far, missing 11 of Madrid’s 24 games having also had a separate injury in August.
Before then, Vini had only ever been injured once, in March 2019. He tore a ligaement in his ankle in a Champions League match against Ajax, which ruled him out for two months. Now, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the Brazilian, who will be looking to make up for lost time in 2024.