Vinicius Junior’s once-storybook romance with Real Madrid looks increasingly like it’s heading for an ugly breakup.
According to The Athletic, the Brazilian winger has told the club he has no intention of signing a new contract as long as his relationship with manager Xabi Alonso remains as strained as it is now.
A Rift That Won’t Heal
This storyline has been dissected endlessly, but the core remains the same: Vinícius believes he’s being treated unfairly.
His minutes have dipped dramatically, and a player once considered untouchable now feels like a spare part. In his eyes, he’s gone from “big fish” status to something far smaller.
The report also revisits Vinicius’ public apology following his El Clásico outburst after being benched. Notably, the
statement omitted any mention of Alonso — a detail now understood to be deliberate.
The tension is hard to ignore. Alonso clearly controls the sporting project at Real Madrid, and Vinicius isn’t buying into it. Conversely, the manager doesn’t appear fully convinced by the winger either — otherwise, he’d be playing more.
Few doubt Vinícius’ talent; the mystery is why he’s not on the pitch more often.
At this point, reconciliation seems unlikely. The signs all point in one direction, and Real Madrid may soon have to consider a future without their No. 7.
Contract Clock Ticking
Vinicius’ representatives have been in discussions with the club for months, with his contract running until June 2027. But during a recent meeting with Florentino Perez, the 25-year-old made his stance clear: he wants to explore options beyond the Bernabeu.
“He feels extending is not the best option for him due to his relationship with Alonso. There has been no change in that position since,” the report notes.
His frustration stems largely from inconsistent playing time — Vinicius has completed a full 90 minutes in only five of Real Madrid’s 17 matches this season.
Alonso maintains publicly that there’s “no personal issue,” but negotiations in January ended without progress.
If nothing changes, Madrid may be forced to cash in next summer rather than risk losing a superstar for free in 2027.
