Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior Contract Saga: What's Next?

Vinicius Junior's future uncertain

Vinicius Junior's contract dispute with Real Madrid raises questions about his future at the club. Will he stay or leave?


Vinicius Junior's performance in the 2024-2025 La Liga season was underwhelming, with only 11 goals in 30 games, which doesn't...


Real Madrid might consider allowing Vinicius Jr. to leave due to his high salary demands and potential transfer value. Vinicius Jr. is seeking a salary comparable to Kylian Mbappé's, which Real Madrid finds excessive. The club is open to selling him if a substantial offer is made, potentially using the funds to acquire new talent.


Reasons for Real Madrid to Consider Selling Vinicius Jr.

  • High Salary Demands: Vinicius Jr. wants a salary increase to match Kylian Mbappé's earnings, which Real Madrid is hesitant to fulfill.
  • Potential Transfer Value: The Saudi Pro League has offered Vinicius Jr. a record-breaking contract worth €1 billion over five seasons, making his potential transfer highly lucrative.
  • Club's Financial Strategy: Real Madrid could utilize the transfer fee to fund their future signings, potentially strengthening their squad.



Potential Destinations for Vinicius Jr.

Saudi Pro League: The league has expressed strong interest in Vinicius Jr., offering him a significant contract and potentially meeting Real Madrid's asking price of €1 billion.

Paris Saint-Germain: PSG is reportedly interested in acquiring Vinicius Jr., considering him a strategic signing to counter Real Madrid's strength.


Implications of Vinicius Jr.'s Departure

Team Dynamics: Vinicius Jr.'s exit could impact Real Madrid's team chemistry and performance, particularly in attack.

Financial Impact: The transfer fee could significantly benefit Real Madrid's finances, allowing them to pursue other top players.


After two games, all five teams are tied on six points, but history suggests that Real Madrid and Barcelona will likely dominate the league standings. Given their past performances, it's probable that these two powerhouses will be the main contenders for the title this season.


Real Madrid has a point to prove after being outplayed by Barcelona last season. Not only did they lose the league title, but they also suffered defeats in both league matches against Barcelona and, notably, the Copa del Rey final. This season presents an opportunity for Los Blancos to bounce back and challenge their arch-rivals.


Barcelona's impressive form last season saw them narrowly miss out on a treble. With their strong squad and tactical prowess, they will aim to continue their dominance over Real Madrid. The upcoming matches between these two giants will be crucial in determining the league champion.


Recent Head-to-Head Results:


Mbappe's Unlucky Start

Kylian Mbappe can be considered unlucky for not winning any major silverware in his debut campaign with Real Madrid, despite his impressive performances. Although he claimed the Pichichi Trophy as La Liga's top scorer and the European Golden Shoe for his outstanding goal-scoring form, the team's overall campaign fell short of expectations.


Mbappe's 42 goals in all competitions were instrumental in keeping Real Madrid competitive, and his absence from the scoresheet often coincided with the team's struggles. Without his prolific goal-scoring, Los Blancos could have faced even more challenges in the league and beyond. Despite the lack of team success, Mbappe's individual accolades highlight his talent and impact on the pitch.


Vinicius Junior's performance in the 2024-2025 La Liga season was underwhelming, with only 11 goals in 30 games, which doesn't meet expectations for a player of his caliber. This subpar performance has implications for his contract negotiations with Real Madrid, as he is reportedly demanding financial parity with Kylian Mbappé.


Contract Details:

  • Vinicius Junior's current contract with Real Madrid extends until June 2027
  • He has a release clause of €1 billion
  • His annual salary is around €20.8 million, with performance-based bonuses potentially adding €5 million to his earnings


Vinicius Junior's Future:

Real Madrid might consider selling Vinicius Junior due to his high salary demands. The club could use the transfer fee to fund future signings and strengthen their squad. However, Vinicius Junior has been instrumental in the team's success, winning La Liga and the Champions League title in previous seasons.



Recent Performance:

Despite his reported underwhelming campaign, Vinicius Junior has been making significant contributions to the team. In Real Madrid's recent 3-0 win over Real Oviedo, Vinicius Junior came off the bench to score one goal and set up another, showcasing his impact on the game.


Vinicius Jr's Contract Dispute with Real Madrid

Vinicius Junior is seeking a significant salary increase to match Kylian Mbappé's earnings, with a reported demand of over £500,000 per week. This would require Real Madrid to raise his current weekly salary from €400,577 (£345,369) to approximately €600,962 (£518,137), a move the club seems unwilling to make at this stage.


The 25-year-old Brazilian has two years remaining on his contract, but his refusal to sign a new deal has put Real Madrid in a difficult position. Vinicius Junior's representatives believe he deserves a salary comparable to Mbappé's, considering his status as one of the world's premier talents. The player's current annual salary is around €20 million, with potential bonuses reaching €33 million.



Key Points of the Contract Dispute:

Vinicius Junior's Salary Demand: Seeks a salary increase to match Kylian Mbappé's earnings, potentially over €30 million per season

Current Contract: Vinicius Junior's deal runs until June 2027, with a release clause of €1 billion

Real Madrid's Stance: The club is hesitant to meet Vinicius Junior's salary demands, citing concerns about wage structure and potential implications for other players

Potential Consequences: If negotiations stall, Real Madrid might consider selling Vinicius Junior, although triggering his release clause seems unlikely.


Real Madrid might be reevaluating Vinicius Junior's value to the team, considering his contract expires in summer 2027. The club would likely want to extend his contract or sell him before he leaves for free, but Vinicius Junior's high salary demands and controversies on and off the field might impact their decision.


The latest controversy surrounding

Vinicius Junior involves an incident during Real Madrid's match against Real Oviedo, where he allegedly made a gesture suggesting the home team would be relegated to the second division after scoring his side's third goal. This incident might further strain his relationship with the club's management.




Recent Performance:

Despite these controversies, Vinicius Junior has been instrumental in Real Madrid's success, with 62 goals and 67 assists in 235 games since joining the club in 2018. However, his recent form has been inconsistent, with only 11 goals in 30 La Liga games last season.


Future Prospects:

Real Madrid will likely prioritize securing a significant transfer fee for Vinicius Junior if they decide to sell him, given his high release clause and market value. The club's ability to navigate his contract negotiations and potential transfer will depend on various factors, including his performance, market demand, and the club's strategic priorities.


Vinicius Junior's Form and Chemistry with Mbappe

Vinicius Junior's recent performances haven't quite lived up to expectations, with his goal-scoring form being a particular area of concern. If he were consistently finding the back of the net like his attacking teammate Kylian Mbappe, perhaps some of the other aspects of his game wouldn't be under such scrutiny. However, his current form has raised questions about his overall impact on the team.



Statistical Comparison with Karim Benzema

Despite the recent struggles, Vinicius Junior has still managed to rack up impressive statistics since the 2017/18 season. He's scored 101 goals, with only Karim Benzema scoring more for Real Madrid with 173 goals in the same period. Notably, Vinicius Junior's 72 assists during this time are the most in the squad, showcasing his value beyond just goal-scoring.




Compatibility Issues with Mbappe

The arrival of Kylian Mbappe has highlighted some compatibility issues between him and Vinicius Junior. The two players often make similar runs for loose balls, and their movements during attacks don't always seem to be in sync. This lack of chemistry has been noticeable, and it's something that Real Madrid might need to work on to maximize their attacking potential. In their recent match against Real Oviedo, Mbappe scored a goal, while Vinicius Junior came off the bench to score and set up another, but the underlying issues regarding their partnership remain.



Vinicius Jr. Radar Graphic - LaLiga 2024/25 | Opta by Stats Perform


Vinicius Junior's performance hasn't quite lived up to expectations, particularly in terms of his passing accuracy. According to recent statistics, his pass completion rate in La Liga last season was around 79%, which is one of the lowest in the squad and shows a downward trend since joining Real Madrid. This issue is even more pronounced in the Champions League, where his completion rate dropped to 69.2% in the 2024/25 season, a concerning statistic for a player competing at that level.


Key Statistics:

  • La Liga Pass Completion Rate: 79% (last season)
  • Champions League Pass Completion Rate: 69.2% (2024/25 season)
  • Current Season Stats: Vinicius Junior has scored 4 goals and has a pass completion rate of 74% this season


Despite these challenges, Vinicius Junior remains a key player for Real Madrid, with 103 goals in 325 matches since joining the club. His current market value is around €170 million, reflecting his potential and talent. However, the club might need to work on improving his passing accuracy and overall performance to maximize their chances of success.


Vinicius Junior's finishing has been a major concern, with a conversion rate of just 13.6% in La Liga last season. His performance in other competitions was even more disappointing, with a 3.9% conversion rate in the Copa del Rey and 7.7% in the Club World Cup. Given his high salary demands, exceeding £500,000 per week, these statistics are particularly troubling and raise questions about his value to the team.



Vinicius Junior's Defensive and Disciplinary Issues

Vinicius Junior's defensive contributions have been lacking, with only three interceptions in La Liga last season. He consistently struggles in one-on-one duels, losing more than he wins. In fact, the only instance where he won more duels than lost was during the 2023/24 Spanish Super Cup. This defensive liability, combined with his disciplinary issues, might lead the club to reconsider his value to the team.


Disciplinary Record:

  • Yellow Cards: 10 in La Liga last season
  • Red Cards: 2 in La Liga last season

Expected Goals (xG) Trend:

  • 2023/24: 13.11 xG
  • 2024/25: 10.61 xG

These statistics suggest a downward trend in Vinicius Junior's performance, which might impact his future at Real Madrid.



Vinicius Junior's Aerial 

Vinicius Junior struggles in aerial duels, winning just 27 headed duels while losing 72 in the last eight seasons. His disciplinary record is also concerning, with 62 yellow cards in 320 games since 2017/18. This averages out to roughly one yellow card every five matches, making him the most cautioned attacker for Real Madrid during this period.


Comparison to Teammates:

  • Rodrygo: 11 yellow cards in the same timeframe, significantly fewer than Vinicius Junior's 62
  • Dani Carvajal: 70 yellow cards, the most in the team during this period


Vinicius Junior's Loyalty Questioned

Vinicius Junior's recent comments about wanting to “make history” with Real Madrid ring hollow given his current contract dispute. By demanding significant wage parity with Kylian Mbappé and threatening to leave if his demands aren't met, Vinicius Junior appears to be holding the club to ransom. This stance raises questions about his commitment to the team and its values.


The club's motto “No player is bigger than the club” seems particularly relevant in this situation, as Vinicius Junior's actions suggest he may be prioritizing his own interests over the team's needs. Real Madrid might view his demands as excessive and consider alternatives, including potentially selling him if the right offer comes in.




Vinicius Junior needs to reflect on his career and consider his next steps, especially given the contract offer from Real Madrid. Despite his impressive talent, his recent statistics have raised concerns about his performance and value to the team. The club's willingness to negotiate a new deal suggests they still see potential in him, but Vinicius Junior must weigh his options carefully and decide what he wants to achieve in his career.


With many years of top-level football still ahead of him, Vinicius Junior has the opportunity to turn his career around and live up to his potential. However, if he continues to prioritize personal gain over team success, he risks undermining his legacy and relationships with the club. Ultimately, the decision is his, and he'll need to consider what's most important to him as a player and a professional.


Upcoming Matches:

  • September 21, 2025: Espanyol Barcelona vs Real Madrid in LaLiga
  • October 26, 2025: FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid in LaLiga




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