Vinicius out of Brazil's World Cup qualifying matches, Raphinha in
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior sits on the pitch after being injured during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Celta Vigo and Real Madrid at the Balaidos stadium in Vigo, Spain, Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. Credit: AP/Lalo R. Villar
RIO DE JANEIRO — Vinicius Júnior will miss Brazil's first two World Cup qualifying matches next month because of a right hamstring injury.
Brazil's soccer federation confirmed the absence Tuesday after media reported that Real Madrid had estimated that the 23-year-old Vinicius, injured in the team’s 1-0 victory at Celta Vigo in the Spanish league, could be sidelined for about a month.
Raphinha was drafted into the Brazil squad for games against Bolivia on Sept. 8 and Peru four days later.
He last played for Brazil's national team during the World Cup in Qatar. The 26-year-old winger has five goals in 16 appearances for the national team.
The matches will be Fernando Diniz's first as head coach of Brazil.
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