Real Madrid won't let Vinicius go to Brazil U-20 for tournament

The coach of Brazil's U-20 side, Carlos Amadeu, has confirmed that Real Madrid won't be releasing Vinicius for the South American Championship.

It's official. Real Madrid will not allow Vinicius to play for Brazil in the South American U-20 Championship, which is to be held in Chile from 17 January to 10 February 2019. The Canarinha's coach, Carlos Amadeu, confirmed the news after the side's goalless draw with Colombia in a friendly on Thursday, in which the Madrid starlet did feature. "It's certain that Vinicius won't be going to the South American Championship," Amadeu said, adding: "I spoke to them [Madrid] and they told me that."

Real Madrid within their rights to refuse to release Vinicius

With clubs under no obligation to release their players for the event as it is not an official part of the FIFA calendar, Madrid are fully within their rights to prevent Vinicius from missing almost a month of the season. However, Amadeu also revealed that Vinicius will look to convince Los Blancos to change their minds, explaining: "He said to me: 'Coach, I'll keep trying [to persuade the club].'" Speaking after the stalemate with Colombia, the player himself appeared to suggest that he hasn't given up hope of being in Chile when he told reporters: "This match will stand us in good stead as we prepare for the South American Championship."

Madrid will let Vinicius go to U-20 World Cup if Brazil qualify

But Real Madrid's stance is unequivocal: he won't be going. However, the LaLiga giants will release the forward if Brazil qualify for next year's U-20 World Cup in Poland, which is to be played between 23 May and 15 June. "Madrid have given us their word on that," Amdaeu said. The 2018/19 LaLiga season will have finished by that point, but if Los Merengues were to make the Champions League final and keep their promise to Brazil, Vinicius would miss the showpiece event at the Wanda Metropolitano, as it is scheduled for 1 June.