Real Madrid have confirmed that Vinicius Junior will miss the rest of 2023 with a hamstring injury.
The 23-year-old was forced off in the first half of Brazil's 2-1 defeat away in Colombia on Thursday night, and scans have revealed that the issue is more serious than first thought.
In a club statement, Real have confirmed that Vini Jr has suffered a "tear to his femoral bicep" which is affecting the tendon in his hamstring.
The injury is set to keep the attacker on the sidelines for up to 10 weeks, meaning a return is not expected until long into the new year.
That will rule the Brazilian out of Real Madrid's final two Champions League group games, and the Spanish Super Cup against rivals Atletico Madrid in early January.
With Los Blancos already through to the Champions League knockouts though, barring any recurrence of the issue, Vini Jr should return before the last 16 begins in February.
Real Madrid are currently two points adrift of surprise La Liga-leaders Girona after 13 games, and Carlo Ancelotti will likely be without one of his key starters for the next nine league games or so.
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Being used more as a central striker since Karim Benzema's departure, Vini Jr has contributed to nine goals so far this for Real, and he scored twice in the 5-1 thrashing of Valencia shortly before the international break.
Along with Rodrygo, Vini Jr was also on form as Real cruised to a 3-0 victory over Braga to seal their place in the last 16 of the Champions League just over a week ago.
However, he will now join midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni on the sidelines for the next couple of months, meaning that Joselu may have to come in to partner Rodrygo in attack.
Vini Jr will also be a big miss to Brazil, who have endured a difficult start to World Cup qualifying, compiled by that defeat to Colombia this week.
Brazil have dropped five points already after five games, but with the top six qualifying automatically for the 2026 finals, the Selecao are still in a relatively comfortable position.
With injuries to the likes of Neymar, Casemiro and Richarlison though, manager Fernando Diniz will be displeased at losing yet another key figure in the squad, ahead of their huge clash with Argentina on Tuesday night.
Andrew Delaney
