Vinícius Júnior Contract Standoff Sparks Tension at Real Madrid
Tensions are beginning to simmer inside Real Madrid, with star forward Vinícius Júnior reportedly reconsidering his future at the Bernabéu in what could become a major crisis for the club.
Spanish outlets claim the Brazilian has stepped back from an informal “gentleman’s agreement” to extend his contract. Instead, he is weighing up the possibility of running down his deal until January 2027, which would allow him to leave as a free agent — leaving Madrid with no compensation.
The dispute has been described internally as a “cold war.” At the center of the standoff is Vinícius’s demand for wages on par with Kylian Mbappé, who earns around €35 million per year. Madrid’s hierarchy, however, are standing firm at €20 million annually and have no intention of matching Mbappé’s salary.
Club officials are said to be frustrated, believing Vinícius has not shown enough gratitude for the backing he has received throughout his career. One example raised behind the scenes is his decision to skip the Ballon d’Or ceremony to avoid possible criticism — a choice the club quietly supported at the time.
Should he hold his ground, Vinícius would be free to negotiate with other clubs from January 2027, opening the door to a lucrative signing bonus whether he stays or departs. To avoid such a scenario, Real Madrid have reportedly set a deadline: if no renewal is agreed by the summer of 2026, they will consider selling him.
Since arriving from Flamengo in 2017 for €45 million, Vinícius has established himself as one of Madrid’s cornerstones, amassing 106 goals in 323 games and winning 14 trophies, including two Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns.
The next 18 months will be decisive: will Madrid meet Vinícius halfway to secure his long-term future, or will the saga end with the departure of one of their brightest stars?
