Vinicius Junior concerned by new injury; Real Madrid confirm Camavinga knee issue

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior believes he may have suffered another thigh injury after being forced off early in Brazil’s 2-1 defeat to Colombia.

Vinicius started Thursday’s game and set up Gabriel Martinelli’s opening goal after just four minutes but would not remain on the pitch for much longer. He slumped to the ground before the 30-minute mark and limped off the field, where a large ice pack was waiting for him.

The scare comes less than two months after Vinicius returned from another thigh problem and the Madrid forward fears the two injuries could be related.

“I think it’s the same injury as the last time,” he said after the game. “I took a hit there and it hurt a little after. [On Friday] we will do tests to see how I go.”

Brazil are due to face Argentina in a huge South American showdown on Wednesday but Vinicius is not confident he will be cleared to play.

“I think it’s difficult [playing against Argentina] from what the doctors said,” he conceded. “We’re going to try everything.”

This international break has already been tough for Madrid, who watched midfielder Eduardo Camavinga limp out of France training earlier this week.

Despite some initial positivity, Camavinga has withdrawn from the squad and it is feared he could miss up to eight weeks with a knee injury, which will leave Carlo Ancelotti short on numbers in midfield.

Camavinga was diagnosed with a “rupture of the external lateral ligament in his right knee” following tests back in Spain, with Madrid declining to put a timeframe on his recovery.

Madrid are already without fellow Frenchman Aurelien Tchouameni, who is not expected back until January, while top scorer Jude Bellingham is dealing with a shoulder problem which has seen him withdraw from the England squad. Arda Guler, who is still waiting for his debut, is once again sidelined as well.

Ancelotti’s side will face Cadiz on November 26 and, as it stands, the boss will have just Federico Valverde, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Dani Ceballos and Brahim Diaz to call upon in midfield.

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