Real Madrid's first season under Jose Mourinho has experienced sharp ups and downs, as has come to be a hallmark of the Special One's reign.
Madrid sit fourth in the La Liga table, just a point behind Atletico Madrid and Real Betis, but six back of leaders Barcelona. Meanwhile, they have won their first two Champions League games of the league phase, but not without plenty of drama.
The latest victory came in a stunning comeback on the road at Mourinho's former Italian club Roma, as Madrid turned around a two-goal deficit and won it at the death.
However, one individual who not only was left out of the comeback scenes, but whose immediate future is in serious question, is Vinicius Jr. Madrid had the chance to sell the Brazilian this past summer, but instead signed him to a long-term contract extension after a brief negotiation stand-off.
They could be regretting that decision, since Vini has just one goal and four total goal contributions across 10 matches this season, and he will be facing an extended period of time on the bench for disciplinary reasons.
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How long is Vinicius Jr. suspended?
After being sent off against Villarreal in La Liga play, Vinicius Jr. has been suspended four games by the Spanish top flight.
A three-match ban is usually the minimum for violent conduct, but La Liga applied an additional game after Vini pulled the hair of Canadian midfielder Nathan Saliba during their match on October 10.
The VAR review not only resulted in Vini being sent off, but it also nullified the goal he scored moments after the incident, which was not initially spotted by the referee.
FROM A GOAL TO A RED CARD FOR VINI JR. His goal was disallowed and he was given a red card for pulling Nathan Saliba's hair in the build up moments before. https://t.co/DyAcznYzpT
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 10, 2026The suspension means that Vini will miss El Clasico against Barcelona, which will be played on Sunday, October 25 at the Camp Nou. However, he will be available for midweek Champions League games sprinkled in between, including against RB Leipzig on October 21 and against AEK Athens on November 4.
La Liga matches Vini Jr. will be suspended
| Date | Match | Location |
| Sun, Oct. 18 | Real Madrid vs. Sevilla | Santiago Bernabeu (Madrid, Spain) |
| Sun, Oct. 25 | Barcelona vs. Real Madrid | Camp Nou (Barcelona, Spain) |
| Sun, Nov. 1 | Racing Santander vs. Real Madrid | Estadio El Sardinero (Santander, Spain) |
| Sat, Nov. 7 | Valencia vs. Real Madrid | Estadio Mestalla (Valencia, Spain) |
Vinicius Jr. struggles in Champions League at Roma
Knowing he would be suspended for the next four La Liga matches, Vinicius Jr. went into their Champions League match against Roma looking to empty the tank and give everything he had, with rest on the horizon.
Instead, it all went horribly wrong as Vini was a mess in the Italian capital, starting the match but yanked by the 59th minute by manager Jose Mourinho.
In those 59 minutes of action, Vini did not manage to get off a shot, created only one chance, completed just two passes into the final third, missed with his only cross attempt, did not attempt a single take-on, lost his only aerial duel, and did not have a single defensive contribution.
At the time of his departure, Real Madrid trailed 3-1, and he was hooked for the introduction of fellow Brazilian forward Endrick. To make matters worse, Real Madrid enjoyed a remarkable comeback once Vini had been withdrawn, scoring three goals in the final 10 minutes of regulation — one of which was scored by his replacement — to win 4-3.
Could Vinicius Jr. be replaced at Real Madrid?
A lot of Vinicius Jr's future will be determined by how Real Madrid play in his absence, but there is absolutely a world where the 26-year-old loses his starting place under the ruthless Jose Mourinho once he returns from suspension.
Against Roma, Yan Diomande was excellent moving over to the left flank in Vini's absence, and he could be an option to replace the Brazilian star during his suspension, with Arda Guler deployed on the right.
Endrick has clearly also put himself in position to be an option with Vini out with his goal against Roma.
If Real Madrid play well during their four league matches he is sidelined, and he continues to struggle in Champions League play, there's a reasonable conclusion where Vini returns to full-time action in mid-November and does not have a starting role.
For a player who has been repeatedly trumpeted as one of the best in the world by his club, and an essential part of Real Madrid's squad and character, his position in the team currently feels shaky, despite the commitment they made to him just this past summer.
