Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has ruled out a January loan move for Vinicius Junior.
The Brazilian forward has seen opportunities limited in recent weeks and has been left out of the last two matchday squads, having not started a match for Los Blancos since the 1-0 loss at Mallorca on October 5.
That has increased speculation that the 19-year-old could be sent out on loan in January, but Zidane has dismissed those reports.
"No, he's not going," the Frenchman said in a press conference on Friday. "He's staying here: he's part of the squad, we have 25 or 26 players.
"Lately he hasn't played much, but he will be counted on. Now isn't the moment, but very soon it could be and he will bring things to the team. He's staying here."
Later, he added: "When you have 26 players, how can I explain it? There are four, five or six who aren't on the list. But we'll see tomorrow (in the game away to Alaves). He has to be prepared."
And asked what had changed with Vinicius, he said: "I have spoken about it before. What has changed is that [Eden] Hazard and Rodrygo are here right now and they are doing well. He is also doing well, training well.
"Last year he did well. He wants to do well when he has the chance. The only thing is that there are important players here and I have to choose. It's my function and that will not change."
With Hazard out for around 10 days after hurting his ankle in the 2-2 draw against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night, Vinicius could be in line to feature at Alaves in La Liga on Saturday.
