WATCH: Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior to miss Copa America crunch clash with Brazil due to cheap shot | OneFootball

Real Madrid might actually be secretly pleased that Vinicius Junior will not be on the end of a bruising clash with Uruguay at Copa America 2024, but the player himself will no doubt be cursing himself after picking up a crucial suspension.

Vinicius looked good in Brazil’s second group game against Paraguay, scoring a brace following some scathing criticism in his own country after a 0-0 draw with Costa Rica. Brazil got a 1-1 draw against Colombia in their final game, seeing them through to the knockout stages in second place.

It sets up a crunch match with Uruguay, who are one of the favourites for the competition, and beat Brazil last time out. Vinicius will not be present though, after he proferred a fore-arm to Colombia star James Rodriguez. It is not the first time Vinicius’ discipline has been questioned, after he was nearly sent off for a similar action against RB Leipzig in the Champions League for Real Madrid.