Vinicius Jr ruled out of Brazil break after Real Madrid confirm neck injury

Vinicius Junior has been ruled out of Brazil's upcoming World Cup qualifiers due to a neck injury sustained in Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Villarreal, adding to the club's concerns ahead of the international break.

In Short

• Vinicius Junior exited late after suffering a neck injury
• Brazil's World Cup qualifiers will miss the star forward's presence
• Real Madrid confirmed Vinicius could return after the international break

Real Madrid's star forward, Vinicius Junior, has been ruled out of Brazil's upcoming international fixtures due to a neck injury, as confirmed by the club following their recent 2-0 victory over Villarreal. This injury adds to Real Madrid's concerns ahead of the October international break, particularly with the long-term absence of veteran defender Dani Carvajal.

Vinicius was forced to leave the pitch late in the match, and the club later released a brief statement indicating the injury was a "cervical" issue, offering little detail on its severity. While there is optimism about his swift recovery, the 24-year-old is expected to withdraw from Brazil's FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification matches against Chile on October 10 and Peru on October 15.

"Following tests carried out on our player Vinicius Jºnior, he has been diagnosed with a cervical injury. Pending evaluation," Real Madrid's statement said.

Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid's manager, will be relieved that Vinicius’ injury is not considered long-term, and the forward may be fit for the club’s next La Liga fixture against Celta Vigo on October 19. However, his absence will be felt by Brazil as they fight for automatic qualification in the competitive CONMEBOL zone. Brazil currently sits fifth in the standings, with only the top six teams securing a direct spot in the tournament.

Vinicius Jr’s injury history has been relatively mild since he joined Real Madrid in 2018, with his only significant setbacks being a knee injury in his debut season and a torn thigh muscle last year. Despite these injuries, he has established himself as one of Real Madrid’s most important players, and his absence from the international stage will be closely monitored by both club and country.

For now, Brazil will have to adjust its strategy without one of its brightest attacking talents, as the Seleç£o aims to secure crucial points on the road to the 2026 World Cup.