Alarm bells are ringing at the Santiago Bernabéu as Vinícius Júnior was noticeably absent from Real Madrid’s final training session ahead of their upcoming match against Villarreal. The Brazilian star had been carrying a discomfort since the Champions League clash against Atlético, and his absence from practice has sparked concerns about his availability for the LaLiga showdown at La Cerámica.
It’s worth recalling that when Vinícius Júnior was substituted during the match at the Metropolitano, he made a telling gesture to coach Ancelotti, hinting that the decision might have been motivated by physical issues, a theory that’s gaining traction given his no-show at the latest training session. For now, there’s no official medical report, and his participation in the Villarreal game hasn’t been ruled out entirely. However, Real Madrid is likely to stick to their zero-risk policy, especially as the season enters its critical phase. The big question mark hangs over his potential call-up to the Brazilian national team, which is set to face Colombia and Argentina in World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
The rest of the squad, minus the long-term injured players, trained without any major hiccups. Notably, Mbappé was present from the start, although the Frenchman’s left foot required some attention from the club’s physiotherapists and medical staff at times. As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on Vinícius Júnior’s status, and whether he’ll be able to shake off his discomfort in time to feature against Villarreal and potentially represent Brazil in their upcoming qualifiers.
Key Developments to Watch
- Vinícius Júnior’s absence from the final training session has raised concerns about his availability for the Villarreal match
- No official medical report has been released, but Real Madrid is expected to exercise caution given the season’s critical stage
- Mbappé trained with the squad, although his left foot required some medical attention
- Vinícius Júnior’s potential call-up to the Brazilian national team for World Cup 2026 qualifiers hangs in the balance
As the situation continues to unfold, fans and pundits alike will be keeping a close eye on developments, eager to see how Vinícius Júnior’s situation plays out and what it might mean for both Real Madrid and the Brazilian national team.