ESPN: Vinicius' contract extension negotiations may resume after the World Cup

According to ESPN, Vinicius' contract extension negotiations may resume after the World Cup, and Real Madrid remains optimistic.

Reports indicate that contract renewal negotiations between Vinicius and Real Madrid remain stalled. A source told ESPN that the possibility of negotiations not restarting until after the 2026 World Cup is being considered.

This would mean the Brazilian international's future remains uncertain in the final year of his contract, which expires in June 2027.

The source acknowledged to ESPN that this situation could still change, but the reality is that renewal negotiations have been stalled for some time. In May, the club and the player's team were close to reaching an agreement. According to one source, Vinicius would then receive a €20 million annual salary plus €10 million in bonuses.

However, the source stated that Real Madrid's final offer differed from the previously negotiated one because it did not include the €10 million bonus.

While the club did not mention any changes to the offer terms when questioned by ESPN, they did reveal some dissatisfaction from Real Madrid's management towards Vinicius's team. They had initially expected a contract extension before the summer, but the Brazilian's subsequent rejection left them feeling "betrayed."

Contract negotiations have made no progress since the start of the season. Vinicius's current net income is approximately €17 million per year.

Within Real Madrid, optimism remains that an agreement will eventually be reached. However, another source told ESPN that Real Madrid's management is unhappy with the negotiation methods employed by Vinicius's team.

A source told ESPN that the club contacted Vinicius's team as early as February 2025 to discuss a contract extension, earlier than usual with other star players, due to strong interest from Saudi Arabia.

Several sources from both the club and the player told ESPN that a point of contention in the negotiations revolves around the various bonuses Mbappe received when he joined Real Madrid. Vinicius's team wants a comparable salary. However, sources also emphasized that the two players have a good personal relationship, and their teamwork improves with each match.

Regarding contract renewal, the relationship between Vinicius and coach Xabi Alonso has not been positive. The Real Madrid coach has changed Vinicius's status in the team, benching him three times this season, no longer the "absolutely untouchable" core player he was under Ancelotti. Vinicius is extremely dissatisfied with this, believing it to be unfair. Multiple sources told ESPN that under Xabi Alonso's management, the likelihood of Vinicius renewing his contract is "decreasingly slim."

The most obvious example of their tension occurred in the El Clásico against Barcelona on October 26th: when Vinicius was substituted by Rodrygo, he publicly expressed his dissatisfaction on the field. A few days later, he apologized publicly on social media, but did not mention the coach's name.

In Ancelotti's Brazilian national team, Vinicius is an undisputed starter and an absolute core player in the 2026 World Cup squad.

Vinicius's team currently believes that it is unreasonable to accept a small increase in player salaries in exchange for a contract extension until 2030.