Muscle Discomfort Raises Concern at Valdebebas

Brazil secured a 1–0 win over Paraguay thanks to a goal by Vinícius Jr., but the headline was not just the ticket to the 2026 World Cup — it was the possible injury to the Real Madrid forward. The winger felt a sharp pain in the back of his left thigh and left the match visibly uncomfortable, just days ahead of Madrid’s debut in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup against Pachuca.

The moment sparked concern in both the Brazilian bench and the Real Madrid camp. With Xabi Alonso preparing for his first major international tournament as manager, the potential absence of one of his most explosive players is unsettling. No official medical update has been released yet, but the scare was real.

Ancelotti and Vinícius Try to Downplay the Incident

Before his substitution, Vinícius Jr. had opened the scoring with a clinical finish from a Matheus Cunha cross — a pure striker’s goal. The discomfort came after a collision with Paraguayan defender Cáceres. Although he attempted to continue, the Brazilian star quickly realized he couldn’t push through the pain. Carlo Ancelotti, now managing Brazil, decided not to take any chances and subbed him off immediately.

After the final whistle, Vinícius seemed calm and spoke about the team’s achievement: “I’m very happy with the result. Winning at home for our fans and qualifying for the World Cup was our goal. Now the coach has more time to prepare and improve things. Today wasn’t our best match, but winning is what matters in qualifiers,” he said.

He also expressed disappointment about the yellow card he received, which will force him to miss Brazil’s next game. But for Real Madrid, the main concern is his physical condition ahead of the Club World Cup.

With just a week until the crucial clash against Pachuca, the Real Madrid medical staff will be closely monitoring his recovery. A possible absence would be a major blow to the team’s ambitions of winning another world title.