Real Madrid stand firm as Vinicius Junior contract dispute revives fears of Mbappe’s Paris standoff

Real Madrid are refusing to repeat what they regard as the damaging outcome of Kylian Mbappe’s dispute with Paris Saint-Germain as negotiations over Vinicius Junior’s contract renewal remain unresolved.

Spanish media reports say the Brazil forward has rejected offers from Real Madrid despite reaching a preliminary agreement with the club at the end of the 2024-25 season.

Vinicius is understood to have changed his position in an attempt to secure improved financial terms following Mbappe’s arrival at the Bernabeu. The France captain has become the team’s leading star, while Vinicius’ role has been reduced to a secondary one, and the Brazilian has since sought a contract that matches Mbappe’s financially.

According to Diario AS, Vinicius is asking for a renewal bonus equivalent to the signing-on payment Mbappe received when he joined Real Madrid. He also wants a larger share of his image rights.

Real Madrid have made what they consider to be their final offer and are refusing to change their position. Only four months remain before Vinicius enters the period in which he can negotiate with other clubs without the club’s permission.

The tension between the player and Real Madrid began after Mbappe’s first season at the club. Journalist Aritz Gabilondo said on the Cadena SER programme El Larguero that the first confrontation came during the FIFA Club World Cup.

Vinicius objected to a decision by manager Xabi Alonso to leave him on the bench for the semi-final. Alonso subsequently reversed that decision, but relations between the two sides have deteriorated since then.

The breakdown has raised the possibility of Vinicius leaving in the current summer transfer window. Journalist Marcos Lopez said: “Real Madrid cannot allow its second player, who was the team’s first star two years ago, to reach this situation four months before he enters the period in which he can negotiate freely.”

Real Madrid are unwilling to pay Vinicius a renewal bonus because they believe doing so could create similar demands from Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde and other members of the squad.

Gabilondo referred to Mbappe’s previous dispute with Paris Saint-Germain, warning that the situation could become similarly difficult. He said: “These things do not end well.”

He also argued that Vinicius no longer occupies the same position within Real Madrid’s long-term plans that he did two years ago and therefore cannot demand terms equal to Mbappe’s.

“We are talking about Real Madrid’s future project, and Vinicius is not the same player he was two years ago,” Gabilondo said. “The club is offering a huge contract, but the player’s level is declining, unlike what happened with Neymar and Barcelona.”

The disagreement therefore leaves Real Madrid facing a delicate decision over one of their most prominent players, with the possibility of a summer departure now open if no agreement is reached before Vinicius enters the final phase of his contract.