Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior has been ruled out of the upcoming Champions League clash with Liverpool due to a hamstring injury, the Spanish club announced on Monday.

“After tests conducted today, our player Vinícius Júnior has been diagnosed by Real Madrid’s medical services with a hamstring injury in his left leg,” the club said in a statement.

Spanish media reported that the Brazilian winger is expected to be sidelined for nearly a month, ruling him out of the Champions League visit to Atalanta on 10 December, in addition to Wednesday’s fixture at Anfield.

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Vinícius played the full 90 minutes of Madrid’s 3-0 victory over Leganés in La Liga on Sunday, where he provided the assist for Kylian Mbappé’s opening goal.

The 24-year-old has been in stellar form this season, outshining summer signing Mbappé. Vinícius, who finished second in the Ballon d’Or voting, has scored four Champions League goals in as many appearances this season, alongside eight La Liga goals in 13 matches.

Defending champions Real Madrid have had a shaky start to their European campaign, suffering two losses in their opening four matches. They were defeated 1-0 at Lille and 3-1 at home by AC Milan in their most recent Champions League fixtures, leaving them 18th in the expanded group table.

Meanwhile, Liverpool, under new coach Arne Slot, lead both the Champions League standings and the Premier League.

Reported by AFP