Vinícius Júnior ruled out of Brazil squad as muscle injury forces late withdrawal

Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior has been withdrawn from Brazil’s upcoming international fixtures after picking up a muscle injury in training, the national team confirmed Thursday. The 23-year-old will return to Madrid for further assessment and treatment, ruling him out of the friendly schedule as coaches reshuffle the squad.

Nature of the injury and immediate steps

Brazil’s medical staff described the issue as a muscle problem that emerged during a training session ahead of the scheduled friendlies. Vinícius did not travel with the squad for the matches and is now set to undergo scans and a short-term rehabilitation programme at his club’s facilities. Initial indications suggest the injury is not believed to be long-term, but the timing will sideline him from at least the next set of internationals.

Coaches have acted quickly to name replacements and adjust tactical plans for the friendlies. The decision to send Vinícius back to Madrid allows him to be managed directly by his club’s medical team, which will coordinate closely with national staff to define a return-to-play timeline focused on avoiding recurrence.

Impact on Brazil and Real Madrid plans

Vinícius has been a central figure for both his country and club, so his absence leaves a clear gap in Brazil’s attacking options. The national side will look to alternative wide attackers to provide pace and creativity, while set-piece arrangements and pressing triggers may be tweaked to compensate for his direct style.

For Real Madrid, the injury will be monitored with priority given to safeguarding the player ahead of key club fixtures later in the season. Squad rotation at the club level could shift temporarily as managers weigh the risk of rushing him back against the need for his contributions on the pitch. The club’s medical assessment will determine whether Vinícius requires only a brief rest period or a slightly longer rehabilitation plan.

Outlook and what to watch next

Medical updates are expected in the coming days after imaging and further examinations. Fans and coaches will watch recovery milestones: resolution of pain, restoration of full strength, and the ability to complete high-intensity training without setback. If all goes well, the player could return to action within weeks; a more cautious timeline would push his comeback further out to ensure long-term fitness.

In the short term, the withdrawal reshapes Brazil’s friendly roster and provides opportunities for other forwards to stake a claim. For Vinícius, the priority is a clean recovery that preserves his availability for Real Madrid’s more consequential fixtures later in the campaign.