Vinicius Jr contract drama at Real Madrid has intensified as the Brazilian forward reportedly told club president Florentino Perez that he does not wish to extend his deal while his relationship with head coach Xabi Alonso remains strained.
The Athletic revealed that the conversation occurred late last month, emphasizing the growing tension between one of Madrid’s most influential players and their manager.
The 23-year-old’s current contract runs until June 2027, yet talks over a renewal, which began in January, have stalled amid disagreements.
Vinicius Jr’s hesitation is closely linked to his difficult relationship with Alonso, who took over as head coach in May following Carlo Ancelotti’s departure.
According to sources, the situation has only grown more tense over the first months of the new season, becoming a topic of daily discussion both within the club and in wider football circles.
Clasico Outburst Highlights Strained Relationship
Tensions were notably highlighted after Madrid’s 2-1 Clasico victory over Barcelona on October 26, when Vinicius Jr reacted angrily to being substituted in the 72nd minute.
He reportedly stormed off the pitch shouting: “Always me, I’m leaving the team, it’s better if I leave, I’m leaving.” While he later apologised to Perez and the squad, he deliberately did not mention Alonso by name, signaling the manager remains a source of frustration for the forward.
The origins of this strained relationship can be traced to Madrid’s 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semi-final in July. Alonso had initially planned to bench Vinicius Jr, but an injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold forced him to start on the right wing rather than his preferred left side.
Since then, Vinicius Jr has only completed five of Madrid’s 17 matches this season and has been on the bench four times, including in the recent 2-2 draw at Elche.
Financial Incentives Fail to Bridge the Gap
Despite the tension, Madrid have tried to retain Vinicius Jr with financial incentives. The club offered a salary increase to around €20million net per year, yet the player’s representatives sought a historic deal, reportedly requesting up to €30million per season, including base pay, performance bonuses, and a renewal bonus, a package never offered before at the Bernabeu.
These differences have contributed to the current impasse, with negotiations now stalled.
Perez’s personal support for Vinicius Jr remains unwavering. The president has been by the player’s side during challenging moments, such as when he accompanied him in the VIP box after Vinicius Jr faced racist abuse in a match at Valencia in May 2023.
This bond was evident when Vinicius Jr issued his apology after the Clasico, deliberately highlighting his respect for Perez despite the ongoing issues with Alonso.
Alonso Stresses No Personal Issues
Alonso, meanwhile, has repeatedly stated in press conferences that there is no personal conflict with Vinicius Jr, emphasizing the importance of rotation and squad management.
However, sources indicate that the ongoing drama has visibly frustrated the manager in recent weeks, highlighting the difficulties in maintaining harmony between elite players and coaching staff.
Real Madrid Faces a Delicate Balancing Act
Real Madrid face a delicate balancing act as the team leads La Liga under Alonso, but the presence of discontent within the squad, with Vinicius Jr at the centre, poses a potential risk.
Club officials, including Perez and Spanish-Brazilian chief scout Juni Calafat, are working to navigate the situation, hoping that strong performances from Vinicius Jr and the team will help rebuild trust and ease tensions.
The Vinicius Jr contract drama highlights the challenges of managing elite talent at the highest level. While financial disagreements are part of the negotiation, the strained player-coach relationship remains the central obstacle.
How Madrid and Vinicius Jr resolve this matter could define the club’s trajectory and the forward’s future at one of Europe’s most prestigious clubs.
