Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez drew attention with a playful comment about Vinícius Junior following the Spanish giants’ 3-0 triumph over RB Salzburg in the final group-stage fixture of the FIFA Club World Cup.
On a night where Real Madrid showcased attacking fluidity and defensive assurance, goals from Jude Bellingham, Gonzalo García, and Vinícius Junior capped a polished display that secured their passage to the knockout phase.
The team also used the occasion to unveil their new second kit, adding to the sense of spectacle at the Bernabéu.
It was not just the performance on the pitch that made headlines, however.
After the match, Pérez was stopped by cameras from the Spanish programme El Chiringuito, where he addressed several topics including the team’s form under Xabi Alonso and the ongoing speculation about a contract renewal for Vinícius Junior.
“Yes, I really enjoyed this last match,” Pérez said when asked about the team’s display. “I think it was the best of the three so far. We are writing a new era.”
When journalist José Luis Sánchez followed up with a question—“A new era with Vinícius?”—the Real Madrid president smiled and responded, “He was one of the best,” acknowledging the Brazilian winger’s standout performance without revealing much.
Pushed further on whether a contract extension for Vinícius was imminent, Pérez offered a cryptic and light-hearted response: “You know very well that here, the president doesn’t decide everything.”
Vinícius, whose current contract runs until 2027, remains one of the most valued assets at the club.
His recent performances have only strengthened his case for an improved deal.
The Brazilian himself has expressed his desire to remain with Los Blancos, recently stating, “I hope to stay here for many more years, it’s the club of my life.”
🗣 Florentino Pérez: “I enjoyed our last match. I think it was the best of the three so far.”
— Real Madrid Info ³⁶ (@RMadridInfo) June 27, 2025
Negotiations over an extension are understood to be ongoing, though no formal announcement has been made.
Given Vinícius’s importance to Madrid’s attacking play and the trust placed in him by manager Xabi Alonso, there is little doubt among fans that a new deal is a matter of when, not if.
As Real Madrid continues to transition into a new era, Vinícius remains central to the club’s future ambitions—on and off the pitch.
Florentino Pérez’s teasing remarks, though brief, only serve to reinforce that sentiment.
