Vinicius Jr hands major injury boost to Real Madrid! Star winger 'ahead of schedule' with recovery as new return date set

Vinicius Jr has missed Los Blancos' last three outings across all competitions after he was ruled out of action with a fresh muscular injury to his thigh last month. The Brazilian winger was expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks, but The Athletic now report he is on course to return to action by next week.

The report further claims that the 24-year-old was not expected to return before the final of the new Intercontinental Cup on December 18, though he is now hoping to return to pitch either against Atalanta on December 10 or against Rayo Vallecano on December 14. The news comes as a huge boost to Carlo Ancelotti's side, who have lost two out of their last three outings with defeats against Liverpool in the Champions League and Athletic Club in La Liga.

In the 2024-25 campaign, the winger has appeared in 18 matches across all competitions for the Spanish champions, where he has scored 12 goals and provided eight assists. He narrowly and controversially missed out winning the Ballon d'Or to Rodri.

Real Madrid, who are trailing league leaders and rivals Barcelona by four points, will aim to get back to winning ways this Saturday as they take on Girona in a crucial La Liga away fixture.