Real Madrid and Vinícius Júnior face contract impasse ahead of 2026 World Cup

Vinícius Júnior, the 25‑year‑old Brazilian forward, will become a free agent on 1 January 2027 after his contract with Real Madrid expires. He has not signed an extension and is demanding a salary of around €30 million per year, comparable to teammate Kylian Mbappé, while the club is reportedly offering closer to €20 million.

Negotiations have been put on hold until after the 2026 World Cup, where Vinícius has already scored three goals and provided two assists for Brazil, increasing his bargaining power. Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has publicly expressed a desire to keep the player, but warned that if no agreement is reached after the tournament the club will consider other options. The Spanish side also wants to avoid setting a precedent with a contract‑renewal bonus that has never been granted before.

Speculation about a move to Saudi Arabia has faded, and while clubs such as Chelsea have shown interest, no concrete offers have materialised. The stalemate is expected to be resolved in the coming weeks, with the summer transfer window looming.