Negotiations for an extension of contract between Vinícius Júnior and Real Madrid are currently experiencing a blockage, despite the discussions started in February 2025. The Brazilian international, linked to the club until June 2027, receives around 17 million euros net per season, bonus included. His entourage hoped to obtain a salary revaluation around a fixed of 20 million euros, with variables that can bring the total amount up to 30 million euros per season. However, the last Madrid proposal is limited to 20 million euros, without additional premiums, which is deemed insufficient to justify an extension of three additional years, until 2030. According to ESPN Brasil, the vision gap between the player and the club prevents any agreement for the moment.
The player's entourage, represented by Fred Pena and Thássilo Soares, chose to delay, preferring to observe the role that Xabi Alonso, new coach of Real Madrid, wishes to attribute to Vinícius during the 2025-26 season. Certain signs of distrust appeared when Alonso would have considered leaving the Brazilian striker on the bench during the semi-final of the World Cup clubs against Paris Saint-Germain. Finally, a counter time – the late package of Trent Alexander -Arnold – modified the plans, pushing Federico Valverde to back up to the post of right side, thus allowing Vinícius to keep its place alongside Gonzalo García and Kylian Mbappé.
End of the Rumor Saudi Arabia?
On the market side, the situation seems relatively clear: the interest from the Saudi Pro League, mentioned at the end of 2024, has been cooled since December. No new approach has been recorded, and the player's representatives have now dismissed this hypothesis. This absence of an immediate alternative gives an additional weight to negotiations with Madrid, even if the player part prefers not to yield quickly, believing that its sporting and media value justifies more advantageous conditions.
Finally, the sporting and media context also complicates the file. Although Vinícius was a finalist of the 2024 Golden Ball and the best male player FIFA the same year, his 2024-25 season was deemed irregular, with 11 goals in 30 Liga games, without Real Madrid won a major trophy. His entourage fears that the Spanish press will not grasp this irregularity and contractual discussions to tarnish his image with supporters. In this tense climate, the decision on its contractual future could only take place after several months of evaluation, depending on the collective performance and the place that Alonso will decide to grant him in his sports project.
