Madrid crisis deepens as Vini Jr. injury confirmed
18hAlex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez
1dEmily Keogh and Yash Thakur
Real Madrid woes continue as Vinícius Júnior injury confirmed
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Kirkland: Ancelotti’s exit ‘inevitable’ after missing big trophies (1:26)
Alex Kirkland reacts to the news that Carlo Ancelotti will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season to take charge of the Brazilian national team. (1:26)
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Alex Kirkland
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Rodrigo Faez
May 12, 2025, 11:58 AM ET
Injuries to Vinícius Júnior and Lucas Vázquez added to Real Madrid‘s problems on Monday, with the club on the brink of missing out on the LaLiga title, and head coach Carlo Ancelotti set to depart for Brazil.
Vinícius and Vázquez were both substituted during Madrid’s 4-3 Clásico defeat to Barcelona on Sunday, a result which left leaders Barça seven points ahead, with just three games remaining.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) announced on Monday that Ancelotti will take charge of the national team from May 26, when the LaLiga season concludes, although Madrid are yet to make his departure official.
“Following tests carried out today on Vinícius Jr. by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a sprain in his left ankle,” the club said in a statement on Monday. “His recovery will be monitored.”
They also said right-back Vázquez had been diagnosed “with an injury to the pectineus muscle in his left thigh.”
Vinícius provided two assists for Kylian Mbappé in the Clásico at Montjuïc, with the France forward scoring a hat trick, but ending up on the losing side.
He was substituted in the 88th minute — having attempted to play on for some time with the injury — and replaced by youngster Victor Muñoz, who soon missed a good opportunity to level the game.
Vázquez, whose error had led to Barça’s fourth goal, was withdrawn in the 84th minute and replaced by Endrick.
The Clásico loss means the LaLiga title race could be concluded this week. Madrid host Mallorca on Wednesday, while Barcelona travel to Espanyol on Thursday.
If Madrid fail to beat Mallorca, Barça would be champions, with Madrid only able to match the leaders’ points tally, and Barça possessing the head-to-head advantage after their two league Clásico wins this season.
Sources have told ESPN that Madrid were finalising a deal on Monday for Xabi Alonso to become the club’s new coach at the end of the league season, replacing Ancelotti.
Alonso announced on Friday that he would be leaving Bayer Leverkusen after three successful seasons at the Bundesliga club.
