Vinícius states he will extend his contract with Real Madrid ‘when the moment is appropriate’
On Monday, Vinícius Júnior expressed his intention to finalize a contract extension with Real Madrid “at the appropriate time” and emphasized his desire to remain with the club “for many years” as they prepare for this week’s significant Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Bayern Munich.
The talented forward has displayed outstanding performance in recent weeks, netting four goals in two matches against Manchester City and Atlético Madrid prior to the international break.
The Brazil international’s existing contract at the Bernabéu is set to expire in June 2027, and questions regarding his future have arisen following a challenging season that included a fallout with coach Xabi Alonso—who has since been replaced by Álvaro Arbeloa—and a three-month goal drought, before experiencing a resurgence in recent times.
“Let’s hope I can remain here for a long time,” Vinícius stated during a news conference on Monday when discussing his contract situation. “I still have a year remaining, and we are at ease. I have the trust of the president [Florentino Pérez], and we are calm about our objectives.
“At the right moment, we will proceed with the renewal, and I will be here for a long time. This is the club of my dreams; I am content here, and I wish to stay for many years.”
Vinícius has proven to be a pivotal player for Madrid, scoring in two Champions League final victories in 2022 and 2024, and being recognized as the runner-up in the Men’s 2024 Ballon d’Or.
However, he lost his position as a guaranteed starter under Alonso during the first half of this season and faced criticism from fans at the Bernabéu following the coach’s dismissal, with ESPN reporting that Vinícius was among the senior players dissatisfied with Alonso’s management approach.
“It was a challenging period,” Vinícius remarked on Monday. “We played numerous matches, but I received limited playing time. Each coach has their own methods, and I didn’t connect with [Alonso] as I had hoped. It was a time for growth; I learned a lot, and the players supported me significantly. I was able to reflect, improve as an individual, and I have a wonderful rapport with Arbeloa.”
Vinícius faced considerable backlash after reacting negatively to being substituted by Alonso during October’s Clásico victory over Barcelona at the Bernabéu, and later issued a public apology that did not specifically mention the coach.
“It was an unpleasant moment,” Vinícius stated on Monday. “I apologized to the team, the club, the coach, and everyone involved. I participate in every match and did not wish to leave the field. I believed I was making the right choice; I didn’t want to [exit the pitch], but later, with a clear mind, I recognized that I had made an error. Each day presents a new opportunity for growth and improvement.”
