Vinicius Jr faces World Cup 2026 pressure as Real Madrid contract talks stall

Vinicius Jr is being positioned as Brazil's main hope for the 2026 World Cup after impressive seasons with Real Madrid, where he has won La Liga and the Champions League. Despite his club success, his international record is modest, with nine goals in 49 caps, and he missed the last Copa América after a suspension. With Neymar sidelined by injuries, the Seleção now relies heavily on Vinicius, especially under new coach Carlo Ancelotti, who aims to maximize his influence.

His contract with Real Madrid runs until 2027, but renewal negotiations are at a standstill. The Brazilian winger is demanding a salary on par with the club's top stars, notably Kylian Mbappé. Real Madrid prefers to wait for the World Cup 2026 to see how Vinicius performs before making a final decision, hoping a strong tournament will strengthen his bargaining position.