Wed Nov 27 23:09:21 UTC 2024: ## Real Madrid Star Vinicius Jr. Injured, Ancelotti Faces Criticism

**Madrid, Spain** – Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr. will be sidelined for approximately one month due to a left leg injury, the club confirmed on Monday. The injury, diagnosed as a femoral biceps tear, casts a shadow over Real Madrid’s upcoming crucial matches, including a Champions League clash against Liverpool.

The news sparked immediate debate, with some Spanish media outlets criticizing manager Carlo Ancelotti for allegedly overusing the 22-year-old Ballon d’Or runner-up. Vinicius himself cited the demanding football calendar as a contributing factor to his injury on social media. However, reports from outlets like SPORT highlight concerns about Ancelotti’s management of the player’s minutes, particularly his consistent 90-minute appearances in recent matches.

Since October 9th, Vinicius played the full 90 minutes in seven out of eight games. This heavy workload, critics argue, contributed to the latest setback. While Real Madrid possesses talented replacements like Endrick, Arda Guler, and Brahim Diaz, Ancelotti now faces the challenge of managing his squad without the star winger for several key fixtures. The injury is expected to keep Vinicius out of crucial matches against Liverpool and Atalanta in the Champions League, as well as several La Liga games. His return is tentatively expected around the Intercontinental Cup in late December. Potential replacements for Vinicius include Kylian Mbappé, with tactical adjustments involving Arda Guler, Brahim Diaz, or Jude Bellingham also possible.

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