Spanish MotoGP rider Maverick Viñales has had another difficult moment in his career after needing surgery on his shoulder. The operation was successful, but it is still not clear when he will return to racing.

Viñales had been struggling with pain in his left shoulder for some time. This problem goes back to a serious crash he suffered at the German Grand Prix in 2025. Since then, the injury has continued to affect him and even caused him to miss several races.

Recently, the pain became worse during the 2026 season. Doctors discovered that a screw placed in his shoulder during the previous surgery had moved out of position. Because of this, he had to leave the United States MotoGP and travel back to Europe for treatment.

The surgery was described as a small procedure to remove the loose screw. It went well, and Viñales has already said that he feels better after the operation. However, recovery in MotoGP is never simple. Even a small injury can take time because riders need full strength and control of their bodies to compete safely at high speeds.

At the moment, no exact return date has been given. His team hopes he can come back soon, possibly for upcoming races in Europe, but this will depend on how quickly his shoulder heals.

Looking at his previous recovery, it could take several weeks before he is fully fit again. In the past, a similar injury kept him out for multiple races while he focused on getting back to full strength.

For now, the most important thing for Viñales is to recover properly. In modern MotoGP, the physical demands are very high, and returning too early could make the injury worse. Both the rider and his team are likely to be careful and wait until he is completely ready.