Real Madrid Sets Nearly R$1 Billion Price for Vinicius Junior Amid Contract Disputes and Performance Concerns

Real Madrid is facing a mounting crisis over the contract renewal of Brazilian star Vinicius Junior. The player's current deal runs through 2027, but the renewal talks have hit a stalemate. Vinicius is reportedly demanding a salary on par with Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappé, a figure that club president Florentino Pérez refuses to meet in order to maintain financial balance. According to a source close to the team, "It is very difficult to imagine Vinicius still in Madrid next season," reflecting growing skepticism about the player's future at the club.

This contract dispute is compounded by a noted decline in Vinicius's performance since he nearly won the Ballon d'Or last year. The drop in form, combined with internal disagreements between Vinicius and the management, has led Real Madrid to establish a transfer price near R$1 billion, signaling a readiness to let the Brazilian winger go if their demands are not met. This development marks a sharp shift from last season's optimism around Vinicius, who was one of only two Brazilians nominated for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, finishing sixteenth.

The stalemate highlights tensions within Real Madrid as the club seeks to balance its financial constraints with the ambition to maintain a world-class squad, while Vinicius seeks recognition befitting his talent and market value.