Although the start of the new season is fast approaching and Real Madrid’s players are about to return to training at Valdebebas in preparation for their La Liga opener against Osasuna, one name is looming large in the club’s boardroom, yet not on the coach’s roster.
All eyes are no longer focused solely on Kylian Mbappé or other absentees, but rather on star player Vinícius Júnior, whose situation within the club appears to be taking a completely unexpected turn — despite his previous statements confirming his unwavering loyalty to Los Blancos.
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Just a few months ago, Vinícius publicly declared, “This is the club of my life. I want to stay here for years and make history.” However, the reality inside the Bernabéu offices seems far removed from this optimistic tone, and instead points to a more delicate and complex scenario.
According to Defensa Central, Real Madrid has quietly decided to freeze negotiations regarding the renewal of Vinícius Júnior’s contract due to what the club described as “a lack of clarity regarding the player’s situation” — particularly after he demanded a substantial salary increase, equal to what Kylian Mbappé would reportedly earn (over €25 million net per year).
The shock lies in the fact that this figure was not part of the initial agreement between the two parties, which had outlined a renewal deal with a salary of approximately €20 million, plus performance-related bonuses.
Sources close to the player, via journalist Toño García, confirmed that Vinícius never accepted the salary terms proposed by Real Madrid’s management and claimed that the circulating reports are nothing more than inaccurate estimations. What’s particularly striking is that his entourage sees no urgent reason to renew the contract now, considering it remains valid until June 2027 — a factor that only adds further complexity to the situation.
Meanwhile, it appears that Florentino Pérez and José Ángel Sánchez have no intention of returning to the negotiating table anytime soon unless the player’s performance sees significant improvement. His form last season declined in comparison to his standout campaign in 2023–24, when he was named La Liga’s Best Player and emerged as a leading contender for the Ballon d’Or.
Despite all the controversy, Vinícius continues to express heartfelt sentiments about the club, stating that he “wants to end his career at Madrid.” Yet in the world of football, emotion alone is not enough. With Mbappé now emerging as a central figure in the squad, Vinícius may find himself in a precarious position — one that requires serious reassessment, particularly if he fails to meet the club’s technical expectations this season.
This rift may not be formally acknowledged, but the situation at Real Madrid points to a financial and tactical dilemma surrounding one of its brightest stars. With La Liga’s kickoff just around the corner, one critical question remains:
Will Vinícius rediscover his top form and force the club to reopen talks for renewal? Or has the relationship between player and club entered a cold phase that could cast a shadow over his future at the Bernabéu?
