Negotiations between Vinicius Junior and Real Madrid over a new contract have become increasingly complicated, despite the two sides previously reaching a point where an agreement appeared close.
According to Spanish newspaper AS, Real Madrid have been managing the Brazilian forward’s renewal for a considerable period, particularly since the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, when Xabi Alonso was in charge of the team.
The most recent face-to-face meeting between the club and the player’s representatives took place at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground after the tournament. Both parties were attempting to settle the remaining details, but discussions stopped just as a contract seemed close to being signed. The negotiations are now expected to resume.
Vinicius made a significant reduction to his initial financial demands during that meeting. His original request was understood to be close to €30m per year, while Real Madrid increased their opening proposal.
Although the gap between the two positions was substantial at the beginning, the two sides gradually moved close to an agreement. Their positions had become almost identical by the time negotiations broke down during a meeting in July 2025, when a formal signing appeared imminent.
Neither side, unusually, was willing to make the final concession needed to complete the deal.
The player’s eventual request was for a net salary of €20m per season. That would represent an increase of only €5m compared with the amount he was earning following his previous renewal in 2022. However, that contract was not officially announced until more than a year later, on 31 October 2023.
Vinicius signed a five-year deal in 2022 that runs until 2027. Under its structure, he was due to receive a total of €75m net, averaging €15m net per season through a rising salary scale.
He began on approximately €10m per year, with his earnings scheduled to increase to about €18m by the final stage of the agreement.
The contract also contains a clause allowing him to earn an additional €2m per season after winning The Best FIFA Men’s Player award. He would have received the same bonus had he won the Ballon d’Or.
The current negotiations involve considerably more than the original discussions. One issue is the possibility of a renewal bonus, similar to the signing bonus Kylian Mbappe received when he joined Real Madrid. Vinicius may seek such a payment as his current contract moves closer to its final year. Image rights are another important part of the talks.
Image rights represent a significant element of the overall financial package. Mbappe controls almost 100% of his image rights, and AS reports that it would otherwise be extremely difficult for Real Madrid to meet his salary.
Vinicius’ contract expires in 2027. Under FIFA regulations, from January he will be permitted to negotiate openly with any club other than Real Madrid.
AS also reports that an initial understanding had already been reached over Vinicius’ future before Real Madrid reached an agreement with Yan Diomande, whose agent is Frederico Pena, the same representative who acts for the Brazilian forward.
The latest information from Vinicius’ camp indicates that he intends to remain at Real Madrid after renewing his contract.
Several months ago, AS reported that the player wanted to continue with the club even if an extension could not be agreed. In that scenario, Vinicius would leave Real Madrid for free next summer.
