The Brazilian backed out of a preliminary agreement following the arrival of the Frenchman, and Real Madrid refuses to yield to demands for a signing bonus and greater image rights. With his contract expiring in 2027, the club is in a race against time.
Tension between Vinicius Junior and Real Madrid is escalating, with contract extension negotiations stalled at a critical stage. Although a preliminary agreement was in place at the end of the 2024/2025 season, the Brazilian forward has since backed out, demanding financial terms that would put him on par with the club's new star, Kylian Mbappé. Real Madrid, for its part, has put its final offer on the table and refuses to negotiate further, aware that in just four months, the player will be free to talk to other clubs.
The contract extension process came to an abrupt halt in July 2025, shortly after the FIFA Club World Cup. The last in-person meeting at Valdebebas, while the team was still under Xabi Alonso, ended very close to a deal. At that time, Vinicius significantly reduced his initial demands of around €30 million gross per year, and the club increased its offer. However, in the final stretch, neither side was willing to budge, and the process stalled.
Journalists from Spanish media are openly warning of the danger. Marcos Lopez told Goal.com: "Real Madrid cannot allow its second player, who two years ago was the star of the first team, to reach this situation four months before entering his free-agency period." His colleague Aritz Gabilondo, on the program "El Larguero" on Cadena SER radio, was even more direct, warning that "these things don't end well."
The key sticking point is a signing bonus, identical to the one Mbappé received upon his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain. According to Spanish newspaper AS, Real Madrid refuses this, fearing it would set a precedent for similar demands from other stars like Bellingham and Valverde. The other point of contention is image rights. Mbappé retains nearly 100 percent of his rights, and Vinicius, one of the sport's biggest marketing icons currently working with 18 international brands including Nike, Apple, and Pepsi, is aiming for the same.
A look at his existing contract, which was published on October 31, 2023, reveals why he is so insistent. The contract signed in 2022 for five seasons, until 2027, is worth a total of €75 million net. His salary has progressively increased, from an initial €10 million to approximately €18 million in the final season. The contract also includes a clause that grants him an additional €2 million per season after winning the "The Best" award, with the same applying to the Ballon d'Or. In the new negotiations, he has asked for €20 million net per season, which is €5 million more than the average under his old contract.
Gabilondo points out that Vinicius is no longer in a position to demand a contract like Mbappé's. "We're talking about the future project of Real Madrid, and Vinicius is not the same player he was two years ago. The club is offering a huge contract, but the player's form is declining, unlike what happened with Neymar and Barcelona," the journalist said on Cadena SER.
Despite the standstill, there is hope for a deal. Negotiations will soon resume at a meeting between the player, coach Mourinho, and the club's management. It is also telling that Real Madrid has already signed Diomande, a player represented by the same agent as Vinicius, Frederico Pena. This suggests that communication channels remain open, and sources close to the Brazilian indicate that he wants to stay at Real.
However, time is running out. Vinicius's contract runs until 2027, and as early as January, under FIFA rules, he can freely negotiate with other clubs. Real Madrid hopes to avoid a repeat of the nightmare PSG experienced with Mbappé.
