Real Madrid has an injury scare for Sunday's La Liga installment of El Clasico versus bitter rivals FC Barcelona at the Bernabeu.

Though the Catalans are still mathematically in the fight, and currently trail Los Blancos at the summit by eight points, defeat in the Spanish capital will see them 'bid adios' to succesfully defending the top flight crown they won for the first time in four years back in 2023.

Barca is down in the dumps after suffering a 6-4 aggregate loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16 this week, with a suspected Madrid-bound Kylian Mbappe scoring the two goals that made the difference overall in a Montjuic Stadium second leg.

As is often the case on the continent, however, Madrid are instead on a high after seeing off Manchester City in a dramatic penalty shootout at the Etihad which caused their manager Carlo Ancelotti to warn that doubters should "never consider Madrid to be dead".

They were certainly dead on their feet after the second leg tied 1-1, however, with Jude Bellingham admitting as much to TNT Sports.

Ancelotti's opposite number Xavi Hernandez could perhaps believe that his men has the advantage in that Madrid played 120 minutes of gruelling, high-level football and have had one day's rest less than them.

And while the Italian claimed that his team "don't have any physical problems", that might not be entirely true.

By the Spanish media and outlets such as Mundo Deportivo, it is being reported that winger Vinicius Jr. is a "doubt" for El Clasico.

The Brazilian was substituted deep into extra time complaining about his thigh after losing a race against Kyle Walker to the City 18-yard box, and if he has suffered a muscle knock, his potential participation in El Clasico is "in danger".

Should Vinicius indeed be ruled out of the world's biggest derby, it is likely that his compatriot Rodrygo will partner Brahim Diaz up front against Barca.

The seriousness of the injury, if there is one, could also have a bearing on Madrid's semifinal first leg against Bayern Munich set to be played on either April 30 or May 1.