In an unexpected move that could open the door to a major crisis within Real Madrid, signs of a deep rift have begun to emerge between one of the team’s most prominent stars and the club’s management, amid a questionable official silence. Reliable Spanish sources have reported a “sudden reversal” by the player from a previous understanding described as a “gentleman’s agreement,” without initially clarifying whether this signals a potential departure or a tactic to apply pressure for improved financial terms.
The situation has grown more complex behind the scenes, with increasing speculation that the player intends not to extend his current contract, which places the club’s management in a difficult position just months before the end of the legal term. The matter has escalated into what resembles a “cold war” as a result of financial demands that far exceed expectations.
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According to the Spanish newspaper OK Diario, Brazilian star Vinicius Junior has reneged on a previous verbal agreement with Real Madrid to renew his contract and is now reportedly planning to reach January 2027 without signing an extension. This would allow him to leave on a free transfer to any club of his choosing, and Real Madrid would not receive any financial compensation.
The dispute centers on Vinicius’s desire to earn a salary on par with his current teammate, French star Kylian Mbappé, which is estimated at around €35 million per year. However, Florentino Pérez’s administration remains firm on maintaining his salary at €20 million per year, without any planned increase.
The newspaper noted that the club’s management feels the player has shown a lack of gratitude for the substantial support he has received, particularly in sensitive moments, most notably his decision to skip the Ballon d’Or ceremony to avoid potential backlash.
According to the same source, all indications suggest that Vinicius is intentionally delaying contract talks to reach contractual freedom in January 2027. At that point, he would be eligible to sign with another club and receive a significant signing bonus, regardless of whether he ultimately renews with Real Madrid or departs.
The club has reportedly set a deadline of summer 2026 for Vinicius to make a decision. If no agreement is reached by then, the club may opt to sell him next summer in order to avoid losing him on a free transfer.
It’s worth noting that Real Madrid signed Vinicius from Brazilian club Flamengo in 2017 for €45 million. He has since made 323 appearances for the club, scoring 106 goals and winning 14 titles, including two Champions League trophies and three La Liga titles.
