Recently, according to reporters from camel.live, Vinícius still doesn't comprehend why Kylian Mbappé is given priority over him.
In November 2021, to coincide with the renovation of the Bernabéu Stadium, Real Madrid had a famous quote inscribed at the end of the players' tunnel leading to the pitch: "No player is stronger than the team." This maxim serves as a constant reminder to Real Madrid players of the importance of teamwork, and it is one of the reasons why President Florentino Pérez insisted on including it in the Bernabéu renovation project.
However, in recent years, Vinícius seems to have gradually forgotten this creed amid his negotiations with the club. The Brazilian star and his agent have recently adopted a tough stance in contract renewal talks with Real Madrid, which stands in stark contrast to his public statements. Vinícius has repeatedly stated openly: "Real Madrid is the club of my life, and I hope to stay here forever." Yet, such words now ring hollow.
Vinícius fails to see why Mbappé is prioritized above him:
In the renewal negotiations, Vinícius and his agent have made demands that contradict his public statements, insisting on becoming the highest-paid player in the team, with a salary exceeding Mbappé's. Since Mbappé joined Real Madrid, and to some extent with the arrival of Jude Bellingham, Vinícius has felt his "core status" in the team is under threat. The player believes that his key performances in La Liga and the Champions League over the past few years have earned him the status of “Real Madrid's top star.”
Vinícius cannot accept Florentino Pérez prioritizing Mbappé and allowing the French star to rank above him in the salary structure. This explains his high demands in the renewal: not only to exceed Mbappé's current after-tax annual salary of €15 million but also to secure the right to have signing bonuses spread annually over a five-year contract, as well as a share of image rights revenue.
It is understood that Vinícius' current contract entitles him to a total of €75 million in after-tax wages over the five seasons up to 2027. His current demands would see his annual salary rise to approximately €25 million, breaking Real Madrid's internal salary structure. This demand clearly runs counter to the salary control system that Florentino has adhered to since taking office.
Real Madrid's position is entirely different: the club has made it clear that it will not raise the annual salary above €20 million under any circumstances. The gap between the two sides remains significant.
In these renewal negotiations, both parties have released information favorable to themselves to strengthen their positions. The player's camp has denied that Vinícius intends to surpass Mbappé in salary, attempting to separate his wage demands from the Frenchman's status. The club, however, has put forward another narrative, claiming the Brazilian wants his salary to at least match Mbappé's (excluding signing bonuses), as this is the maximum the club is currently willing to accept—a solution to the renewal without breaking the existing salary structure.
But reality is far more complex than both sides' narratives. In fact, the negotiations have collapsed. Real Madrid completely rejects the agent's demands to raise the annual salary to nearly €25 million, nor can it accept extending the contract until 2030.
Three hidden risks in Vinícius' renewal:
The first issue is his decline in form. Since losing the Ballon d'Or to Rodri, the Brazilian forward's performances have grown increasingly lackluster, gradually relegating him to a "peripheral figure" on the pitch. He has lost his former dribbling ability, his style of play has become predictable, and his goal contributions have plummeted. He scored only 2 goals in the final 17 games of the second half of last season. Meanwhile, he has been subjected to provocation from opposing fans, making the past six months of his career almost a torment.
The second issue is the managerial change. With Xabi Alonso replacing Carlo Ancelotti as head coach, the new manager, like the club president, has made it clear that if a choice must be made, Mbappé will be prioritized. In fact, in the Club World Cup semifinal against Paris Saint-Germain, Alonso originally planned to bench Vinícius, but the Brazilian unexpectedly got the start only due to Trent Alexander-Arnold's pre-match injury.
Now, the manager has recognized the tactical incompatibility between Mbappé and Vinícius—one of the root causes of the collapse of Ancelotti's Champions League-winning side after Bellingham's arrival. Alonso must resolve this dilemma, and his current decision is to place Vinícius on the bench. Vinícius has also realized that the coming days will be very difficult in terms of on-field performance.
The third concern involves a shift in Real Madrid fans' attitudes. As Vinícius' form has dipped, tolerance for him in the Bernabéu stands has waned. Coupled with the contract dispute, fan support is no longer as unwavering as it once was. Taken together, these issues are pushing Vinícius toward a critical career juncture.
