Following a two month injury layoff, Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior has returned to training and could feature in Zinedine Zidane’s lineup on Thursday against Getafe. Is it a good idea to play the young Brazilian at all in these last few league matches?
After suffering a serious ankle injury at the beginning of February and the shocking home defeat to Ajax, the spry Vinícius Júnior has been cleared to return to full training and could feature in Thursday’s match.
The winger has done a fantastic job working with the Sanitas medical staff and is healthy long before anyone around the club expected. This begs the question, is it a good idea to play Vini again this season?
It’s no mystery that the Brazilian forward has a bright future ahead of him. He has been one of the most influential players in the attacking third this season despite it being his first year playing in Spain.
To me, it seems risky to put him back into the starting lineup for four or five meaningless La Liga matches. Zinedine Zidane has not had the opportunity to use the talented youngster yet, but his long-term well-being is far more important than Zizou testing him out.
Vinícius wants to play for Brazil this summer in the Copa América and that should be Real Madrid’s priority right now. Preserve the player so he can continue to grow into a global icon.
In addition, the three month stint where he started every match for former manager Santiago Solari was more than fans expected to see him all season. Vinícius Júnior played in 15 La Liga matches, four Champions League matches, six Copa del Rey matches, and made a substitute appearance in the FIFA Club World Cup.
For an 18-year-old who started on the Castilla team this season, he is way ahead of schedule in terms of his development. Zidane should be thankful for Solari’s trust in the player and know the raw talent he possesses.
Although the squad has not been announced yet, I expect to see the number 28 somewhere in the lineup. Bringing him on as a late-game substitute wouldn’t be the worst idea ever, but I think the coaching staff needs to limit his minutes in these final league matches.
Marco Asensio and Isco have both been playing well in the last few matches and should be chosen over Vinícius against Getafe tomorrow. The worst thing that could happen here at the end of the season is Vini getting re-injured and missing the entire summer.