Vinícius Júnior has already made 351 appearances in a Real Madrid jersey, and the club’s clear intention is to push that number well beyond June 30, 2027, when his current deal expires.
What unfolded Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu, where Vinicius became the target of sustained hostility from the stands, did not help matters. Still, the response from teammates, club officials and coaches helped soften the blow.
They made sure Vinícius did not leave the stadium as if it had been just another matchday. There were words of comfort, but more importantly, there was a clear message. He matters to this team.
Vinícius’ difficult period
There is no denying the winger is going through a rough stretch. Earlier this season, he made a serious mistake in the league Clásico against Barcelona, one that threatened the balance of the locker room. Vinícius owned it and apologized publicly.
Now, with the mood around the team turning sour, he is paying a price. The pressure has pushed him close to the edge, but inside the club there has been no sign that he is ready to give up. That would not fit his personality.
Madrid admit failings
At Valdebebas, the prevailing view does not ignore Vinícius’ responsibility, but it also points to a relationship that may not have been handled in the best possible way by the coaching staff. There is a sense that the situation could have been managed differently, or at least more carefully.
That context matters as both sides look again at a contract renewal that has been pending for more than a year. Despite everything, Real Madrid’s stance has not changed. Club leadership remains convinced of Vinícius’ importance and of the need to renew his deal, always within the wage structure the club applies across the roster.
When will we know more about Vinícius’ Real Madrid future?
The offer is still on the table. It has not changed with the arrival of Álvaro Arbeloa on the bench. The terms are the same. Now it is up to Vinícius to make the next move, fully aware that the club has stood by him both in good moments and in times of intense pressure, like what unfolded Saturday.
Vinícius holds the cards, and the logical expectation inside the club is that a resolution will come in the coming weeks. For now, the priority is restoring a sense of normalcy, especially in the relationship between the team and its fans.
Club executives want clarity sooner rather than later. They know that once summer arrives, rumors tend to explode, tensions rise and an unsigned contract becomes a ticking clock. That scenario would do little to help the stability of a group that already has enough on its plate.