Vinicius faced a setback when he sustained a left thigh injury during a World Cup qualifier for Brazil against Colombia, sidelining him for Real Madrid’s last seven games of 2023 across all competitions.
His absence, spanning from mid-November after a standout performance against Valencia, was expected to extend until February. However, the 23-year-old winger has now declared his readiness to return to action, leaving the decision on the timing in the hands of Real Madrid’s head coach, Carlo Ancelotti.
In an interview with Real Madrid TV, Vinicius expressed his well-being, stating, “I’m fine, very good. Now all that’s left is for the coach to choose.” Eager to contribute to the team, he emphasized his readiness to play and looked forward to the remainder of the season, expressing a collective goal of winning multiple titles in 2024.
As Real Madrid resumes action after the Spanish football winter break, facing Mallorca in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu, Vinicius’ return adds a dynamic element to the squad.
The fixture against Mallorca kicks off a series of games across various competitions, including a Copa del Rey clash against fourth-tier Arandina, the Supercopa de Espana in Saudi Arabia, and additional La Liga encounters against Almeria and Las Palmas before the end of January. Should Madrid progress, two more rounds of the Copa del Rey are also on the horizon this month.
Remarkably, Real Madrid managed to navigate Vinicius’ absence successfully, securing six victories in the seven games played without him. This impressive run propelled them to the top of La Liga and secured a seeded position in the Champions League last 16.
While Jude Bellingham maintained a consistent goal-scoring form, other contributors, including Rodrygo, Joselu, Dani Ceballos, and Brahim Diaz, stepped up to share the goal-scoring responsibilities in Vinicius’ absence.
Vinicius’ return adds depth and options to Ancelotti’s squad, injecting renewed energy and competition for places. As Real Madrid aims to maintain their form across multiple competitions, the Brazilian winger’s availability provides a boost to their pursuit of titles in the ongoing season.
The team’s ability to adapt and thrive during Vinicius’ absence underscores the strength and depth of the squad, setting a positive tone for the challenges that lie ahead in 2024.
