Contract Negotiations for Vinícius Júnior
Negotiations for Vinícius Júnior’s new contract with Real Madrid have hit a standstill after several weeks, according to reports from ESPN. The Brazilian’s agents are unwilling to accept the latest proposal from the club, which they believe falls short of their expectations. Currently, Vinícius, who is 25 years old, has a contract that lasts until June 2027, with an annual net salary of about €17 million (approximately $19.8 million), inclusive of bonuses.
Progress and Setbacks
In a meeting that occurred in May, both parties appeared to be making progress as they aimed to bridge their differences, with insiders hinting at a potential agreement. Vinícius’ representatives had hoped to secure a guaranteed salary rise to €20 million per year, with the possibility of bonuses raising the total to as much as €30 million. However, the club’s latest offer reportedly remained at €20 million without any prospect of additional performance-related bonuses, leading Vinícius’ team to feel that the incremental increase would not warrant extending the contract to 2030.
Future Considerations
Faced with this situation, agents Fred Pena and Thássilo Soares are choosing to bide their time and assess how the 2025-26 season unfolds, keeping an eye on coach Xabi Alonso’s role for Vinícius in the team’s strategy. Notably, during the Club World Cup semifinal in July against Paris Saint-Germain, Alonso contemplated sidelining Vinícius in favor of a two-forward lineup. This was changed due to an unexpected injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold, allowing Vinícius to retain his spot along with colleagues Gonzalo García and Kylian Mbappé.
Background and Concerns
The initial steps towards renewing Vinícius’ contract were taken back in February, well ahead of schedule, influenced by earlier interest from the Saudi Pro League. However, that interest has since dwindled, and communication from the Saudi clubs has reportedly ceased since December 2024. Vinícius’ representatives now seem to have dismissed this trajectory entirely.
Concerns have emerged within Vinícius’ camp regarding the potential impact of the Spanish media on public perceptions amid the ongoing negotiations, which could put further pressure on the player. Despite these challenges, it’s noteworthy that Vinícius was recently recognized as the runner-up for the Men’s Ballon d’Or in 2024, as well as winning FIFA’s The Best Men’s Player award in the same year. However, his previous season in 2024-25 was marked by inconsistency, culminating in only 11 goals for him across 30 LaLiga matches, as Real Madrid concluded the season without securing major trophies.
