Mansion Sports – Just a year ago, Real Madrid and Vinícius Júnior stood united at the summit of world football.

The Brazilian forward had played a key role in helping Los Blancos secure their second UEFA Champions League title in three years, and he was even hailed by several local media outlets as a frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or.

Today, however, the once-strong partnership appears strained, marred by dissatisfaction and mounting tension on both sides.

Salary Demands on Par with Kylian Mbappé Spark Friction

Last summer, Vinícius Júnior attracted interest from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and reportedly met with Saudi officials to hear their proposal. 

Although the Brazilian eventually signed a new deal with Real Madrid, reports from Cadena SER now indicate that he is demanding a salary comparable to that of Kylian Mbappé.

The demand has been met with a frosty response from the Real Madrid hierarchy. The club has flatly refused to amend the terms of the agreement previously reached with the player.

Communication between the club and Vinícius’ representatives has reportedly broken down, with neither side currently willing to reopen discussions. 

Unless the player's agents take the initiative to renegotiate, further talks are unlikely to occur until 2026—when Vinícius will have just 18 months remaining on his contract.

At present, only President Florentino Pérez and Vinícius himself are viewed as possessing the authority and influence necessary to resolve the standoff through direct dialogue.

Also Read: “Saudi Arabia Tables Record-Breaking Bid for Vini Jr Amid Contract Stalemate”

Real Madrid Preparing Contingency Plans in Case of Departure

Should Vinícius remain firm in his salary demands, Real Madrid appears ready to activate a backup plan. 

According to recent reports, the club is open to entertaining serious offers for the Brazilian star. If such a scenario unfolds, Florentino Pérez is believed to already have a high-profile replacement in mind: Erling Haaland.

This strategic foresight highlights Real Madrid’s unwillingness to become overly reliant on any single player, regardless of their importance in recent successes. 

The potential pursuit of Haaland further underscores Pérez’s commitment to sustaining the club’s attacking strength in the years to come.

Mounting Pressure on Vinícius Amid Contract Stalemate

This series of developments may also be interpreted as a subtle form of pressure by the club to compel Vinícius to accept the contract on the table without additional demands.

 In the coming months, it would not be surprising to see local media intensify scrutiny of the player—particularly if his performances on the pitch fail to significantly improve over the underwhelming end to last season.

Vinícius now finds himself in a delicate position. On one hand, he is seeking recognition on par with football’s biggest stars; on the other, the club is reluctant to meet those expectations. 

The outcome of this evolving standoff will likely play a pivotal role in shaping both the future of Real Madrid and the next chapter of Vinícius Júnior’s career.