Published on Jul 14, 2025
Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior is at the center of growing tension in the Spanish capital, as renewal talks between the Brazilian forward and the club have stalled over salary demands. Despite being under contract until June 2027, Vinícius and his representatives are pushing for a revised deal that reflects his rising status in world football one that would elevate him above even Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham in Madrid’s wage structure.
Vinícius Jr. signed his last extension in 2022, which included a massive €1 billion release clause, effectively tying him to the club long-term. However, since then, his role within the squad has evolved drastically. Once a raw, promising winger, the Brazilian is now seen as a cornerstone of Real Madrid’s attack and one of the most marketable stars in world football.
With Kylian Mbappe arriving and J. Bellingham flourishing, Vinícius’ camp believes he should not only match but exceed the wages of Madrid’s other stars. Reports suggest his representatives are demanding over €25 million net per year, with some outlets claiming the ask could be closer to €30 million a figure that would rival Cristiano Ronaldo 's peak earnings at the club.
Real Madrid have so far been reluctant to meet those demands. The club’s current wage structure carefully balanced to avoid friction in the dressing room would be disrupted if one player earned significantly more than the rest. Internally, there's concern that granting Vinícius such a deal could lead to future contract battles with other high-profile names like Mbappé and Bellingham.
According to ESPN and Cadena SER, negotiations have effectively paused, with the club describing the demands as "unacceptable" in their current form.
The situation has not gone unnoticed abroad. Reports from Spain indicate that Vinícius has already been approached by representatives of the Saudi Pro League, with offers said to be in the range of €1 billion total package over several years. While the Brazilian has not expressed a desire to leave, the presence of such offers gives his camp considerable leverage in negotiations.
Beyond money, Vinícius is reportedly seeking a Cristiano Ronaldo-style deal: high base salary, substantial bonuses for performance, image rights considerations, and a signing-on fee. He also wants clearer guarantees of his role in the team as the long-term face of the club even with Mbappé’s growing influence.
Despite the demands, Vinícius has not shown any signs of wanting to leave the club. On the contrary, his entourage has publicly stated that he remains committed to Real Madrid if the terms reflect his contribution and status.
Talks are currently at a standstill, with no new offer submitted by Real Madrid in recent weeks.
Vinícius’ camp is expected to push again before the season begins, especially as pre-season draws media attention.
Real Madrid face a delicate balancing act between rewarding their existing star and maintaining a sustainable wage model with multiple elite players on the books.
Vinícius Jr.’s contract standoff is more than just a numbers game it’s a battle over recognition, hierarchy, and the future identity of Real Madrid. As Los Blancos juggle their galaxy of stars, they must now decide whether Vinícius is the face of their next era or a potential departure waiting to happen.
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