Vinicius Junior's Real Madrid future hinges on 2026 World Cup performance

Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior has postponed any contract renewal talks with Real Madrid until after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His current deal runs out in 2027, and reports say he is seeking wages comparable to Kylian Mbappé, which the club has not agreed to. President Florentino Pérez and the board will assess his World Cup showing – held in the United States, Canada and Mexico – before deciding on a new contract.

Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti, a former Real Madrid coach, has outlined a hybrid role for Vinicius in the tournament, giving him freedom on the left wing in possession and a central counter‑attack function when defending. The player has emphasized that his personal goal and assist numbers are secondary to boosting the team's confidence and advancing as far as possible.

Vinicius also highlighted his commitment to Brazil after securing qualification for the 2026 World Cup, stating that the eight remaining qualifiers are about “playing well and giving the team confidence,” not individual statistics. Off the pitch, he reportedly rejected a €1 billion offer from a Saudi club and remains one of the highest‑paid players at Real Madrid, second only to Mbappé.