Recently, much of the talk at Real Madrid has focused on the futures of Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo Goes. Both players are considered top attackers, but the addition of Argentine star Franco Mastantuono has raised questions about their long-term roles.
Rodrygo had the opportunity to leave in the last transfer window but opted to stay after offers did not meet Real Madrid’s asking price. On the other hand, Vinicius was seen as a key player, and the club turned down every bid from Saudi Arabia, which included substantial salary offers, to focus on renewing his contract.
After the Club World Cup, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and the board arranged further discussions with Vinicius’ representatives to finalize a contract extension. Financially, they were close to an agreement—but negotiations have recently hit a roadblock.
Since Xabi Alonso became head coach, Vinicius’ responsibilities have changed. He is now expected to contribute more defensively and does not attack with the same freedom he had under Carlo Ancelotti. To remain part of the squad, Vinicius has adapted, yet his rotation with Rodrygo seems to be a tactical decision by Alonso rather than based on form.
Vinicius Jr played as a starter in last Real Madrid’s LaLiga game. (Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
As per AS, recent discussions regarding Vinicius’ contract fell through, even after he reduced his salary expectations. The report claims Vinicius “put in five times the effort than what the club initially offered,” and while a deal seemed likely, talks ultimately stalled.
The situation has become tense. Vinicius wants to stay at the Bernabeu, but his future may depend on how Xabi Alonso sees him moving forward. With his contract running until 2027, AS highlights that the Brazilian holds a strong position to negotiate, but also warns of a “real risk he could leave for free without bringing in a single euro.”
Real Madrid’s stance
According to AS, Real Madrid’s board plans to take a cautious approach regarding Vinicius’ contract. The club believes it doesn’t make sense to push for a long-term renewal if head coach Xabi Alonso doesn’t see the Brazilian as essential, as Ancelotti once did. If Vinicius continues to share playing time with Rodrygo, the club also fears his market value could drop significantly.
Vinicius’ new role under Xabi Alonso
During Ancelotti’s time as coach, Vinicius was a regular starter on the left wing. However, under Alonso, his responsibilities have changed. The new coach has kept him on the bench twice in the opening six matches of the season, including in the Champions League debut against Olympique Marseille—a choice that raised some eyebrows.
Before the club’s 2-0 win over Espanyol, Alonso was asked to explain this decision. “I saw him yesterday, and it wasn’t the time to talk, as I said. You need to have some intuition, and we discussed it a bit today,” Alonso stated to reporters.
He emphasized the need for patience early in the season. “We’re just five league games in. There’s still a long way to go; this is a marathon until May. We must take it step by step,” he added.
The coach also highlighted the importance of squad depth and competition. “There are many important players for me. I value everyone and want the whole team to feel significant. We all need to pull in the same direction,” Alonso concluded.