Real Madrid star attacker will start on bench against Mallorca; will feature if needed | OneFootball

Real Madrid are expected to take a cautious approach with Vinicius Jr. ahead of their upcoming clash against Mallorca, with the winger unlikely to feature from the start.

The update comes from journalist Marcos Benito in El Chiringuito TV, who has indicated that the Brazilian forward will begin the match on the bench. 

The decision appears to be a preventive measure rather than a forced absence, with the club keen to carefully manage his physical condition after a demanding international break.

What happened to Vinicius?

Vinicius’ situation comes from his recent involvement with Brazil. 

During the break, he completed a full 90 minutes in a friendly defeat to France, but concerns emerged shortly after when he reported discomfort in his thigh. 

As a precaution, he underwent medical tests, which fortunately did not reveal any serious injury.

However, Real Madrid’s medical staff and coaching team have not taken the situation lightly. 

Vinicius Jr. will be rested against Mallorca. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Following the scans, Vinicius was kept out of one of the subsequent training sessions, opting instead to remain in the gym to focus on recovery work. 

Interestingly, despite those concerns, the Brazilian still featured in his national team’s next outing, playing a role in a 3-1 victory over Croatia. 

That appearance, combined with his already heavy workload this season, has only strengthened Madrid’s resolve to manage his minutes more carefully.

Under Alvaro Arbeloa, there is a clear emphasis on protecting key players during crucial phases of the season. 

With Vinicius being one of the team’s most decisive figures, the priority is to ensure he remains fit for the bigger challenges ahead rather than risking aggravation in a single league fixture.

The plan, as it stands, is that Vinicius will be available on the bench and could be introduced if needed. 

However, if the match goes in favour, Real Madrid are prepared to leave him out entirely and allow him to recover fully.