Vinicius Jr.’s Real Madrid future in doubt despite desire to stay

The financial terms of Vinicius Jr.’s contract extension with Real Madrid were almost settled, with both sides in close alignment, but everything fell apart during a final meeting in the Spanish capital following the Club World Cup.

Vinicius and Madrid now find themselves in an unexpected maze with no easy way out. With a contract running through June 2027, the current Best FIFA Men’s Player has been unexpectedly sidelined in Xabi Alonso’s plans. The Brazilian star, who has accepted his new role following Kylian Mbappé’s arrival, is understandably concerned about the way the season has started, especially since he has been following Alonso’s instructions to the letter, adapting his attacking style to focus more on defense.

Vinicius sidelined by Alonso despite on-field impact

On the field, Vinicius’s numbers remain undeniable. Real Madrid has won all three matches in which he started, and in the other two, he helped secure victory after coming off the bench, most notably by drawing a penalty against Marseille.

Over the past four seasons, his stats have been remarkably consistent: 22 goals and 19 assists last season, 24 goals and 9 assists in 2024-25 (the year he won The Best), 23 goals and 19 assists in 2023-24, and 22 goals and 16 assists in 2021-22. He has been a machine.

Despite a surprising start to this season, Vinicius does not believe the club is trying to force him out or push him toward an unwanted contract renewal. The decision to alternate him with Rodrygo appears to be purely tactical by Alonso, despite Vinicius being the team’s star and a key player in their last two Champions League wins. This contrasts sharply with two summers ago when an astronomical offer from Saudi Arabia led the club to refuse even discussing a transfer fee

Vinicius makes major salary concession

Sources familiar with the negotiations revealed that talks between Vinicius and Real Madrid broke down after the Club World Cup, with Alonso now at the helm. In that final Madrid meeting, the Brazilian star made a substantial reduction in his financial demands. These sources suggest his concessions were likely five times greater than any effort the club made to improve their offer.

Despite the gap, an agreement seemed within reach, until the meeting abruptly ended, leaving the renewal in limbo.

Tense standoff as Real Madrid wait

Now, both player and club face a tense situation. Vinicius is clear that he wants to continue winning titles at Real Madrid and intends to renew. But with a contract through 2027, he holds strong negotiating leverage. There is a real risk the club could lose him for free if the situation drags on.

Madrid, on the other hand, appears willing to wait, perhaps because Vinicius does not hold the same importance under Alonso as he did under Carlo Ancelotti. The club may be waiting to see how this season unfolds before committing to a long-term, high-value deal.

If Vinicius begins to play less due to alternating with Rodrygo, his market value could drop ahead of a potential summer transfer. At the same time, the club cannot justify a five-year mega-contract right now without knowing his role under the new coach.

Coming months crucial for Vinicius’ future

The next two to three months could determine the direction of the “Vinicius case.” If the situation worsens, a departure as early as the winter transfer window is not out of the question. Vinicius has already reached the pinnacle at Real Madrid, winning every major title and being named the best player in the world. However, that astronomical offer from Saudi Arabia is no longer on the table, and for now, there are no major Premier League or PSG bids for the Brazilian star.

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