Vinicius contract renewal on hold since February amid top-earner demands

A few months ago, although not officially confirmed, Vinicius Junior's contract renewal with Real Madrid appeared all but finalised. The player himself, after the 3-2 victory over Manchester City at the Etihad in February, seemed confident the deal was nearly done.

"God willing, the negotiations will be resolved in the coming days, and I'll be here for much longer", the Brazilian said.

However, the situation has changed considerably since then. Firstly, due to his recent performances, which have been his weakest at Real Madrid over the past five years. Secondly, financially, Vinícius’s demands have failed to find favour with the club.

According to AS, shortly after the City match, Vinicius’s representatives presented a renewal proposal asking for a salary of €20 million.

While the figure itself isn’t outrageous, it is a clear statement of intent, as it would make him the highest-paid player at the club, surpassing Kylian Mbappe — a threshold Real Madrid is reluctant to exceed.

Mbappe signed for a net €15 million, the same average salary Vinicius currently earns under his progressive contract, though the number 7 also regularly receives a €2 million bonus for winning The Best award.

With Real Madrid firm on their wage structure, Vinicius’s dip in form has weakened his negotiating leverage, especially since Mbappe has clearly outperformed him this season.

Yet time is working against the club: by the end of the 2025-26 season, Vinícius will enter the final year of his contract and could soon negotiate freely with other clubs.

This freedom would likely come with a substantial signing bonus, which for Madrid would translate into a costly renewal incentive. The negotiation remains a complex chess match, unlikely to be resolved anytime soon.