Dani Carvajal was stretchered off the pitch and Vinicius Junior was subbed off after both suffered “devastating” injuries in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win over Villarreal CF. Read on to learn the extent of both setbacks.
Real Madrid Crisis: Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Junior Suffer Injuries
Vinicius Injured Six Minutes After Scoring Worldie
In what was otherwise a routine victory against potentially tough opposition, Real Madrid’s night was dampened by more injury news.
Shortly after scoring a 73rd-minute goal from outside of the box, Vinicius was taken off the pitch with an apparent shoulder problem. Although showing signs of discomfort, the extent of the injury is still unknown with checks likely to be made in the coming days.
Read More: Where Did Europe’s Finest Prepare for the 2024/25 Season?
It was an unfortunate and untimely end to the match for Vinicius as he notched up his fourth La Liga goal in spectacular fashion. Starting in a front two with Kylian Mbappe, it was only when the Frenchman was substituted off that he found the back of the net. He received the ball from first-half goal scorer Federico Valverde and quickly fired off a shot from the best part of 25 metres.
Carvajal Confirmed Out for ‘Some Months’
Real Madrid were forced to end the game with ten men as a challenge from Dani Carvajal on Yeremi Pino in the last minutes left the former screaming in agony. Looking at the replays, the right-back’s right knee seemed to hyper-extend upon contact with the Villarreal winger.
The club have revealed that he has a “ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, a ruptured external collateral ligament and a ruptured popliteus tendon in his right leg”. He will undergo surgery in the coming days.
Read More: Wojciech Szczesny’s Surprise Barcelona Transfer Inspired By In-Form Star
Some may argue that in stoppage time of a game where his team had a two-goal advantage, it was unnecessary to make this challenge. However, it’s exactly the type of challenge that comes with the style in which Carvajal plays the game. Doing so has him among the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or alongside his injured Brazilian teammate and fellow knee-injury national compatriot Rodri.
When Will Real Madrid’s Injury Nightmare End?
Fans are scratching their heads as to why their team has suffered so many injuries so early on in the season. Thibaut Courtois, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe have all been sidelined in recent weeks and now the other two of Madrid’s A-listers join the list.
Read More: World Cup Winner and Barca Legend to Retire From Professional Football
Many players are concerned about the rising number of games this season with an extended Champions League format and a 32-team Club World Cup next summer. In La Liga, teams have played two matches more than most other domestic leagues meaning Real Madrid have already played 12 matches in just eight weeks.
Of course, injuries are a part of football and a risk that players undertake every time they step out on the pitch. However, the increased match volume so early in the season means that players going into challenges are doing so with tired bodies. Vinicius going shoulder to shoulder with a defender or Carvajal in a strong challenge to close a game out could now have a damaging impact on the rest of Madrid’s La Liga campaign.
