Impact of FIFA Virus on Vinicius Jr and Real Madrid

Alvaro Arbeloa welcomed the squad back after the international break. No player returned injured after national team duty.

Vinicius Jr and recovery plans

Vinicius Jr arrived at Valdebebas visibly limited. The club had given him a rest day.

Instead of training on grass, he followed a precise physiotherapy and recovery protocol. He did not step onto the pitch.

The decision reflects caution. Vinicius has played 55 of the club’s 57 matches since the Club World Cup in June.

The ongoing Impact of FIFA Virus on Vinicius Jr and Real Madrid is being managed with care. The coaching staff want him fresh for the Champions League.

Upcoming matches and selection

Real Madrid prepare for a tough two-legged tie with Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals. Team selection will be handled with those fixtures in mind.

AS reports Vinicius could be rested and may not start Saturday away at Mallorca. The coaching staff will weigh risks before naming a lineup.

Suspensions and absences

Fede Valverde will definitely miss the Mallorca match. He serves a suspension after a red card for a foul on Alex Baena in the derby with Atletico.

Valverde received a rest day and is already focused on the Champions League clash.

Injuries and returns

This weekend, three players are sidelined with injuries: Rodrygo, Thibaut Courtois, and Ferland Mendy. They will not be available for selection.

Several senior players are back fit. Eder Militao has rejoined the group after a long layoff.

• Militao had been absent since December 7. That was after the 0-2 defeat to Celta at the Bernabéu.
• He missed three months and 24 days with a left biceps femoris tear plus proximal tendon involvement.
• Raul Asencio is also available again after missing the last three matches.
• Dani Ceballos recovered from a right soleus tear suffered on February 21 vs Osasuna. He is now fit.

Bellingham and Mbappé

Jude Bellingham returned in the Atletico match. He will be in the squad but is unlikely to start versus Mallorca, according to AS.

Kylian Mbappé should return to the starting XI. His France call-up went well and he looks ready to play.

Squad implications

These recoveries will force a reshuffle. Younger players risk returning to the bench as experienced stars reclaim places.

Arbeloa will have 20 confirmed first-team players available. Thiago Pitarch will also be part of the group.