Vinicius Jr Could Leave Real Madrid as Contract Talks Stall

Tensions Rise Between Vinicius Jr and Xabi Alonso

Vinicius Junior, the Brazilian winger who has become a symbol of flair and attacking genius at Real Madrid, could be on his way out of the Santiago Bernabeu if the current standoff continues. After months of silence on contract negotiations, it seems the relationship between the 25-year-old and the club has reached a critical point. Talks that once appeared to be heading towards a long-term deal have now frozen entirely, leaving the football world to wonder whether one of Europe’s most electrifying forwards will be wearing the famous white shirt for much longer.

The story is as much about contracts and numbers as it is about personality, ego, and tactical friction. Vinicius, whose current contract runs until 2027, was reportedly close to finalising a new deal that would extend his stay until 2030, with a salary jump to €18 million (£15m/$20m) per year plus bonuses. However, the negotiations appear to have hit a wall. Sources indicate that no new meetings have been scheduled, and the silence has raised questions about the winger’s future at the club.

Tensions haven’t emerged in a vacuum. Since Xabi Alonso took over as Madrid manager in the summer, the relationship between the tactically disciplined Spaniard and the flamboyant Brazilian winger has deteriorated. Football insiders say Alonso’s preference for structure over improvisation has clashed with Vinicius’ instinctive, attacking style. The friction has been building for months, and the cracks are now impossible to ignore.

Dressing Room Tensions at the Bernabeu

The early signs of tension appeared in July, when Alonso made the controversial decision to bench Vinicius during the Club World Cup semi-final. While such decisions are part and parcel of football management, the Brazilian winger appeared frustrated by the move. Since then, his role in the starting XI has been inconsistent at best. This season, he has started only four of Madrid’s 12 league matches, often substituted early even when in form or brought on as an impact substitute in the closing stages.

The situation reached its peak during last month’s 2-1 victory over Barcelona in El Clasico. Vinicius was replaced in the 72nd minute, and cameras caught the winger storming off the pitch shouting “always me!” before disappearing down the tunnel. The moment became a talking point not just for fans but within the dressing room itself. Several players reportedly questioned Alonso’s decision-making, describing his tactical approach as rigid and a potential obstacle to the creative players in the squad.

It is this mix of personal and professional tension that has contributed to the contract impasse. While the financial and sporting terms were once reportedly close to agreement, the breakdown in communication between player and manager appears to have paused talks indefinitely.

Contract Talks at a Standstill

Vinicius

Earlier this year, Real Madrid and Vinicius Jr were reportedly on the brink of agreeing a long-term contract extension that would see the winger stay at the club until 2030. The deal, estimated at around €18 million per year including bonuses, would have represented a significant rise from his current €15 million (£13m/$17m) salary.

However, according to reports from Spanish media outlet El Partidazo de COPE, negotiations have completely stalled. No progress has been made since the discussions hit a deadlock, and the club has yet to schedule a date for further talks. For a player of Vinicius’ calibre, whose presence can change games in a split second, this uncertainty is both unusual and unsettling.

The breakdown in contract negotiations has left the Brazilian’s future hanging in the balance. With Madrid reportedly open to the possibility of selling him should the right offer arrive, speculation is mounting about where Vinicius could end up.

Saudi Arabia and a €1 Billion Offer

Adding to the intrigue are the rumours of a potential move to the Saudi Pro League. Following a stellar 2023-24 season, which saw Vinicius Jr win the FIFA FIFPro Player of the Year award, officials from Saudi Arabia reportedly approached the winger with a contract worth a staggering €1 billion (£868m/$1.2bn). While no deal was completed at the time, the whispers of such a move have refused to die down.

Sky Sports reported last month that Real Madrid could be open to selling Vinicius next summer if a club meets their hefty €250 million valuation. Only months ago, such a scenario would have seemed unimaginable. Now, however, the combination of stalled contract talks and reported dressing room tension has made it a plausible conversation in elite football circles.

For Madrid, the financial logic is clear: selling a player of Vinicius’ stature for €250 million would be a windfall, one that could fund multiple high-profile transfers. For Vinicius, a move to Saudi Arabia or another club would represent both a lucrative payday and a fresh start away from the friction he now experiences under Alonso.

Toni Kroos Critiques Vinicius’ On-Field Behaviour

Kroos Vini Jr.

The debate about Vinicius’ future isn’t limited to contracts and transfer fees; his on-field behaviour has also come under scrutiny. Former Real Madrid teammate and German football legend Toni Kroos spoke candidly about the winger’s antics in a recent interview with AS, suggesting that Vinicius sometimes lets emotion override team needs.

“At that time, I told him many times that he’d had enough,” Kroos said. “You get the feeling that, because of his behaviour, the team ends up suffering. It’s understandable that he might annoy an opponent, a referee, or the crowd. But as a team, you get the impression that everything is working against the group because of what’s happening around him. I’ve tried many times to calm him down on the pitch, especially so he wouldn’t lose his composure. I always told him, ‘You’re so good you don’t need all that.’”

Kroos’ comments reflect an internal tension in the squad, where some players appear frustrated with moments of perceived theatrics or loss of discipline. While Vinicius’ talent is undeniable—few can match his pace, skill, and ability to break defences—his temperament has occasionally created friction in high-pressure situations.

A Summer of Uncertainty for Madrid Fans

For Real Madrid supporters, the possibility of losing Vinicius Jr is unsettling. He has been instrumental in some of the club’s most memorable moments over the past few seasons, including decisive performances in domestic and European competitions. His partnership with Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, and others has brought moments of magic that defined the club’s attacking philosophy.

Yet, football is as much about the boardroom and contract tables as it is about performances on the pitch. If the stalled negotiations continue and a lucrative offer arrives from Saudi Arabia or elsewhere, Madrid may be forced to make one of the most consequential decisions in recent memory: to sell a player who has become a global star, and a fan favourite, at the height of his powers.

The situation is evolving daily. With the summer transfer window still months away, speculation will only intensify. Fans, pundits, and insiders alike are watching closely to see whether Real Madrid and Vinicius Jr can bridge the gap, or whether the Brazilian’s Bernabeu chapter will end earlier than expected.

Conclusion: Vinicius’ Future Hangs in the Balance

Vinicius Junior’s situation at Real Madrid serves as a reminder that football is never just about talent or trophies. It is about personalities, timing, money, and relationships. A player can be a global superstar, but without harmony between club and manager, even the brightest careers can face uncertainty.

For now, Vinicius remains under contract until 2027, but with talks frozen and tension mounting, his future at Real Madrid is more uncertain than ever. Whether he stays to fight for his place under Xabi Alonso, or seeks a new challenge abroad, the coming months could redefine both his career and the landscape at the Bernabeu.

Madrid fans will be hoping for a resolution, but as of today, Vinicius Jr’s future at the club remains a story still being written—one where the final chapter is far from guaranteed.