Vinicius Junior has reportedly informed Real Madrid that he will not renew his contract while his relationship with manager Xabi Alonso remains strained. The Brazilian forward, whose current deal runs until 2027, conveyed his decision directly to club president Florentino Perez during a meeting in late October.
The discussion followed Vinicius' angry reaction to being substituted in the El Clasico victory over Barcelona, where he was seen storming off the pitch. Although he later apologized publicly to the club and teammates, he notably omitted Alonso from his statement, signaling deeper issues between the player and the coach.
Tensions between the two have been simmering since Alonso took charge in May, replacing Carlo Ancelotti. Sources indicate the friction escalated during the Club World Cup semi-final in July, where Alonso initially planned to bench Vinicius before an injury forced a tactical reshuffle.
Since then, the winger has struggled for consistent game time, completing the full 90 minutes in only four of his 13 league starts this season. He was also benched for the recent 2-2 draw against Elche, further fueling speculation about his dissatisfaction with his role under the new management.
Contract negotiations, which began earlier this year, have now stalled completely. Real Madrid had reportedly offered a salary increase to around €20 million net annually, but Vinicius' representatives countered with a request for a package worth up to €30 million per season, citing his status as a key player.
While financial differences exist, the club acknowledges that the breakdown in the player-coach relationship is the primary obstacle. Sources close to Vinicius insist his stance is not a negotiating tactic but a genuine reluctance to commit his long-term future under the current circumstances.
The situation has reportedly created a divide within the dressing room. Spanish journalist Arancha Rodríguez claimed on Partidazo Cope that several players, including Vinicius, Federico Valverde, and Rodrygo, are unhappy with Alonso’s methods, while others like Thibaut Courtois and Kylian Mbappe remain supportive.
With Madrid currently leading La Liga but enduring a dip in form starting with a loss to Liverpool and draws with Rayo Vallecano and Elche, the internal discord threatens to destabilize their campaign.
Real Madrid's hierarchy, including Perez and chief scout Juni Calafat, are keen to resolve the impasse. While the club is pleased with Alonso's tactical changes that have kept them atop the league table, there is growing concern over the discontent among key squad members.
The hope remains that improved results and performances can bridge the gap between Vinicius and Alonso, but for now, the Brazilian's future at the Bernabeu hangs in the balance.
