Why Vinicius Jr.'s Demands Could See Him Leave Real Madrid

Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. faces uncertainty as his salary demands and form dip spark exit rumors. Can the club meet his expectations or will Al Hilal's £1bn offer change everything?

Real Madrid may be looking to part ways with Vinicius Jr. due to his hefty salary demands, which have become unsustainable for the club, especially given his underwhelming performances this season. Despite Rodrygo being linked to a potential exit, it's Vinicius Jr. who might be the first to leave the Santiago Bernabeu, sources suggest. The Brazilian's wage demands are reportedly causing friction, and the club is weighing its options.

Attacking Woes Persist

Despite Kylian Mbappe's arrival, Real Madrid's attack has struggled to gel for significant periods during the 2024/25 season, failing to click as expected.

Kylian Mbappe's impressive debut season in LaLiga saw him top-score in the league and claim the European Golden Boot, but his individual success was overshadowed by Real Madrid's trophyless campaign. Barcelona claimed the league and Spanish Cup titles, defeating Real in the cup final, while Paris Saint-Germain secured their first Champions League title.

🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Saudi Arabia are ready to send Real Madrid a €350m offer for Vinicius Jr.

They are also offering Vini Jr. a €1B salary across a 5-year contract.

— @JacobsBen pic.twitter.com/ahmppFUwGc

— The Touchline | Football Coverage (@TouchlineX) July 17, 2025

The season saw frequent instances of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. converging on the same ball and making identical runs, often resulting in them getting in each other's way. Given the criticism hasn't typically targeted Mbappe, it's worth examining whether Vinicius Jr.'s form has dipped, contributing to the team's attacking struggles.

Just a year ago, Vinicius Jr. was touted as a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or, but now the focus has shifted to his reportedly difficult personality and astronomical wage demands, casting a shadow over his on-field performances.

Vini Jr.'s Form Falters

Vinicius Jr.'s goal tally plummeted to just 12 in 39 games last season. Despite starting 31 matches, he was substituted 14 times, raising questions about his endurance and form. Carlo Ancelotti's decision to rotate players might justify some substitutions, but the frequency with which Vinicius Jr. was replaced is notable.

Vinicius Jr.'s frequent substitutions continued a trend from the previous season, where he started 25 matches but was replaced 17 times in just 29 appearances across all competitions.

While Vinicius Jr.'s goal tally dipped to 12 in 2024/25, six fewer than the previous season, his assist count increased from 5 to 12. With Kylian Mbappe shouldering more of the goal-scoring burden, some might argue that Vinicius Jr.'s changed role isn't necessarily a problem.

For a world-class forward, Vinicius Jr.'s 12 goals in all competitions fall short of expectations. To put this into perspective, even Ferran Torres, largely a backup to Robert Lewandowski at Barcelona, scored 10 goals last season, highlighting the disparity between Vinicius Jr.'s talent and his recent output.

Disciplinary Concerns Mount

Vinicius Jr.'s disciplinary issues persist, with 11 yellow cards and one red this season, exceeding his eight yellows from the previous campaign. Despite facing intense abuse from stands, he must improve his composure on the pitch to maximize his effectiveness and avoid unnecessary bookings.

Vinicius Jr.'s passing accuracy, while passable at 79.8% last season, lags behind his teammates, who mostly average between 80-90%. Although this represents only a 0.1% drop from the previous campaign, it's hard to overlook this shortcoming given the high standards of those around him.

One redeeming aspect of Vinicius Jr.'s game is his defensive work rate. Although his 30 tackles may seem modest, it's a stark contrast to Kylian Mbappe's meager eight tackles all season, showcasing Vinicius Jr.'s valuable industry in supporting his team's defense and midfield.

The £1bn Offer Looms

At just 25, Vinicius Jr. has already achieved immense success with Real Madrid, but a lucrative £1bn contract from Al Hilal could tempt him to a new chapter. The Saudi Pro League club's offer, coupled with the chance to become its flagship star, might prompt Florentino Perez to consider selling, a move that would be both surprising and significant.

Vinicius Jr.'s entourage is reportedly leveraging the Al Hilal offer to pressure Real Madrid into substantially increasing his salary, effectively putting the club in a difficult position. Meanwhile, the player himself seems to be sending positive signals about his commitment to the team, creating an intriguing dynamic.

Despite his undeniable talent and potential, Vinicius Jr. currently brings baggage, both in terms of his on-field form and off-field issues. At a club like Real Madrid, his recent performances haven't met expectations, raising questions about his value to the team.

The growing focus on off-field discussions surrounding Vinicius Jr. rather than his performances on the pitch is telling. This shift in narrative appears to have prompted Real Madrid's hierarchy to reassess their stance on the player, which could spell trouble for Vinicius Jr., despite his still having immense potential in the football world.