Real Madrid have been handed a major injury boost with the early return of Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior, who sustained a hamstring injury in November, Afrosport reports.
Vinicius picked up the injury during Madrid’s 3-0 win away at Leganes last month, and the 24-year-old has missed their last three matches.
Los Blancos have struggled without Vinicius, suffering two defeats in three games without the Brazil international. Madrid were beaten 2-0 in the Champions League at Liverpool, defeated Getafe 2-0 at home and lost 2-1 to Athletic Club on Wednesday.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, in his pre-match conference on Friday, provided an update on Vinicius ahead of Saturday’s visit to Girona in La Liga.
“Vini has recovered from his injury very well,” Ancelotti told reporters. “He will not be ready for tomorrow [against Girona] but he will be for the next Champions League game.”
🚨🚨 JUST IN: Vinicius Jr. is BACK in training for Real Madrid.
David Alaba is BACK too with the team after 355 days! pic.twitter.com/V6pqRa36y6
— Football Xtra™ (@FootballXtra0) December 6, 2024
Vinicius’ return is key for the La Liga champions to quickly get back to their best as the talismanic forward as scored 12 goals and provided eight assists in 18 matches in all competitions this season, including eight goals and five assists in 12 La Liga games.
Ancelotti also confirmed that David Alaba is back in team training, but the Austrian defender is not expected to return to action until January 2025.
Alaba, who has been training individually for a while now, has been out since December 2023, when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee.
“Having Alaba back in training has cheered us up a lot, but he still needs one more month, December, before he’s ready to play.” said Ancelotti.
Los Blancos, who missed the chance to climb above Barcelona and into the top spot in La Liga during the mid-week, head to the Montilivi Stadium to battle eighth-placed Girona.
