Vinícius Júnior delivered an impressive performance, scoring a hat trick as Real Madrid secured a vital 4-0 victory over Osasuna in La Liga on Saturday, November 10, 2024. However, the match was overshadowed by the unfortunate injury to teammate Éder Militão, who suffered a torn ACL during the game.
Real Madrid had been struggling in previous home matches, facing significant criticism after a heavy 4-0 defeat to their arch -rivals, Barcelona, followed by a disappointing 3-1 loss to AC Milan. This much-needed win against Osasuna brought some relief, but the team paid a hefty price for the result.
Militão's injury occurred shortly before halftime when he collapsed on the pitch, visibly in distress and clutching the back of his right knee. He was promptly taken off on a stretcher, further straining an already depleted squad. Adding to the team's woes, both Rodrygo and Lucas Vázquez also suffered apparent muscle injuries in the first half, forcing them to leave the game early.
After the match, Vinícius expressed mixed emotions, saying, “We played a good game, and I am happy for the goals, but sad for the injuries to Mili, Rodry, and Lucas. I am sad that Mili has to go through this again.” This hat trick marked Vinícius's second of the season and brought his total goal tally to 12 for the campaign. Jude Bellingham contributed to the scoreline by netting the second goal, helping to establish Madrid's dominance in the match.
Madrid's head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, praised Vinícius’s impact on the game, stating, “Vinícius makes the difference. Not winning the Ballon d’Or is a detail that did not affect him, as we can see today.” This statement came in light of Vinícius feeling somewhat overlooked after the prestigious award was given to Spain’s Rodri the previous week.
Currently, Real Madrid sits in second place in La Liga, trailing six points behind league leaders Barcelona. The team’s recent performances have been inconsistent, and this victory, while significant, cannot overshadow the injury concerns that now plague the squad.
Rodrygo's injury was particularly distressing, as he had only just returned from another setback and was visibly emotional as he gingerly walked off the pitch. A team medic attended to him on the bench, applying ice to his left leg. The situation worsened when Militão went down; he was seen pulling his jersey over his face in despair as he was carried off the field around the half-hour mark. The club later confirmed that he had ruptured his ACL and would require surgery, a devastating blow for both the player and the team.
This is not the first time Militão has faced such a serious injury; he had previously torn the ACL in his left leg during the opening game of last season, which sidelined him until March. His return was crucial in helping Madrid clinch both the Champions League and La Liga titles, making this latest setback even more heartbreaking.
Ancelotti commented on the unusual nature of three injuries occurring in the first half, highlighting the demands of the current schedule. “Three injuries in the first half are pretty rare,” he noted. “The demands of the schedule sometimes do not allow players to get the rest they need, and that increases the risk of injuries. It is a problem for everyone, not just us.”
As Real Madrid looks ahead, the team must navigate these challenges while striving to maintain their position in the league and compete effectively in domestic and European competitions. The injuries to key players like Militão, Rodrygo, and Vázquez will undoubtedly test the squad's depth and resilience in the coming weeks.
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