Why isn’t Vinícius Júnior playing for Brazil in the October internationals?

Brazil go into the October international break with a lot of pressure on head coach Dorival Júnior.

La Seleção are currently in fifth in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table and have just one win in their last four Games. The five-time World Champions desperately need victories in upcoming Games against Chile and Peru to steady the ship, but they will be without a key player.

Vinícius Júnior has become the team’s primary attacking talent in the absence of Neymar but the Real Madrid star is not in the October squad. Last week the 24-year-old sustained a neck injury that saw him substituted in Madrid’s 2-0 win over Villarreal.

“After tests on our player Vinícius Júnior, a cervical injury has been diagnosed. Pending evolution,” a statement on the club website confirmed. The team’s medical staff advised against the long-haul flight to join up with the rest of his international teammates.

Why isn’t Éder Militão playing for Brazil?

Vinícius isn’t the only Real Madrid player ruled out of the Brazil squad. Defender Éder Militão is also sidelined due to an injury picked up in the win over Villarreal.

A statement from the Brazil soccer federation explained: “The athlete left the Spanish club’s La Liga match complaining of muscle pain in his left thigh. He underwent tests this Sunday in Sao Paulo, which revealed a small muscle injury in his left thigh that prevents him from playing in Brazil’s two Games.”

While Vinicius has remained in Madrid, Militão was required to fly to Brazil to undergo medical tests. The 12-hour flight to São Paulo confirmed what Madrid had already reported, that the defender was experiencing discomfort in his left thigh and will need time to rest the injury.

Nevertheless, Militão has now returned to the Spanish capital to continue his recovery. Reports suggest that he should be back in contention for Real Madrid’s first game after the international break, a trip to Celta Vigo in LaLiga.