Real Madrid’s injury crisis shows no signs of getting better as another superstar of the Spanish giants has suffered a setback. Vinicius Jr., the Brazilian star of the team is sidelined for almost two weeks, after suffering a hamstring injury.
During Madrid’s last game against Celta de Vigo, the forward had to be carried off the field in the first quarter of the match. This already spelled trouble for the fans and the management alike. After the match, the club confirmed that the player would not be available for the next six weeks. The club statement read, “Following tests carried out on Vini. Jr by the Real Madrid Medical Services, the player has been diagnosed with an injury to the right biceps femoris muscle.”
During the treatment against Celta, Vini Jr wanted to continue playing & asked the physio to tape the bandage stronger. @DAZN_ES pic.twitter.com/rEh6N6VOo7
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) August 28, 2023
The Spanish giants Real Madrid have lost their striker, Karim Benzema, after the Frenchman opted for a transfer to Saudi Arabia. This left Real without any proper striker for the rest of the season. With the ongoing Kylian Mbappe saga, it wasn’t sure whether Madrid would buy a new number 9 before the window closed.
After initially starting with Vinicius and Rodrygo on the front and new signing Jude Bellingham just behind them, an injury to Vinicius in the last match has derailed the plans. Vinicius is added to the list of other injured players, which includes the likes of Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao, both of whom are first-team players and have played a huge role in their recent success.
🚨🎖️| Ancelotti believes that the squad he has now is weaker than the one he had last season. @Rodra10_97 pic.twitter.com/HK4Nx9Eryv
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) August 30, 2023
Manager Carlo Ancelotti says that the squad he has now is weaker than the one he had last season, which on paper is true as Turkish wonderkid Adra Guler is also out with an injury.
Apart from Bellingham and Kepa, Joselu and Brahmin Diaz are the ones who joined Madrid, but neither of the latter two would be in the starting lineup. With most of the goal contributions coming from the new signing, Bellingham, Madrid fans know that Ancelotti is right and they are only one injury away from total collapse.
Real Madrid has reportedly agreed to pay $200 million for Kylian Mbappe
Last year, Kylain Mbappe was closest to signing with Real but instead chose to extend his stay with PSG after signing a ludicrous contract. Mbappe wants to run out of his contract in 2024 and move for free next season. PSG wanted to have none of it and told him to either sign an extension or leave this season. Much to no one’s surprise, Mbappe is back in the first team under Luis Enrique and will probably leave for free next summer.
As per Spanish outlet Vozpopuli, Mbappe might just make the much-awaited move to Madrid, with PSG not wanting to lose him for free. The current injury crisis in Madrid might also play a key role. The Frenchman would sign a contract that would earn him more than $54.5 million per year.
PSG had rejected Madrid’s previous bid of $175 million and is willing to lower their asking price of $250 million. A deal worth $200 million has been reached, according to various sources, which would see Mbappe make the move to Spain before the window closes.
❗️Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid could even be announced this afternoon.
— @voz_populi pic.twitter.com/Uj1CE77wan
— Madrid Universal (@MadridUniversal) August 30, 2023
Even though Ancelotti has made it clear that there will be no signings, it remains to be seen whether all these Mbappe to Madrid rumors are true or not.