Vinícius Júnior has always worn Real Madrid’s iconic white shirt with pride. Yet his future now hinges on a high-stakes negotiation that could redefine the club’s wage structure.
Officials at the Bernabéu see him as a cornerstone for years to come. After all, he brought Los Blancos back to life earlier in this week, providing two key assists to light the team’s comeback victory against Manchester City.
Still, upper management has grown uneasy about Vini’s insistence on becoming the highest earner, above the roughly $16 million Mbappé is said to receive.
“I’m tired of this topic but I’m not worried,” Carlo Ancelotti told reporters about the ongoing saga. “He is happy and we are happy with him.” Vinícius, for his part, has publicly stated his affection for Madrid. “I have a contract until 2027, but I’ve always said I want to be here for many years and to make history,” he told Brazilian media last month.
Things changed when an offer emerged from Saudi Arabia. It’s reportedly worth an eye-popping $1.05 billion over five years, a figure beyond the reach of European clubs.
Vinícius’s camp wants Madrid to come close at least, seeking a yearly salary beyond $26 million. That’s a big leap from his current earnings, which hover around $16 million. Securing the new deal makes him far and above the highest-paid player on the squad.
A Billion-Dollar Temptation: Can Real Madrid Keep Vinícius?
The biggest question is whether Real Madrid will shatter its careful wage balance to grant him that pay level. Some fear that doing so could spark a chain reaction of new demands in the dressing room. Others say you don’t let a player of Vinícius’s caliber walk, especially after the Ballon d’Or runners-up delivered pivotal moments in recent triumphs.
Ancelotti’s frustration underscores the tension around these talks. He wants the winger to focus on performances that have made him indispensable in attack. Behind closed doors, club officials hope to find a compromise without surrendering to a “take-it-or-leave-it” approach.
If Madrid refuses to meet his demands, the lure of Saudi Arabia becomes all the stronger. But Vinícius maintains he wants to stay. For the club, deciding whether to rewrite its salary code for a 24-year-old star is tricky. Whether this ends in a record-breaking contract or a sensational departure, everyone at the Bernabéu is watching.
