Real Madrid's rising star Vinícius Júnior finds himself at the center of unprecedented speculation about a potential move to Saudi Arabia, despite his current success at one of football's most prestigious clubs. The 24-year-old Brazilian forward, who finished as runner-up in last year's Ballon d'Or and won FIFA's The Best award, has consistently expressed his desire to remain with the Spanish giants.
"My next step is improving my game, continuing to develop, and helping the biggest club in the world," Vinícius stated last month, emphasizing his commitment to Real Madrid. His recent achievement of scoring 100 goals for the club puts him in an elite group of just 23 players to reach this milestone, further cementing his place in Madrid's illustrious history.
However, the Saudi Pro League's interest in acquiring Vinícius has been persistent. ESPN reported initial contact from the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) in August 2023, with discussions of an astronomical annual salary of up to €350 million. The proposed deal would make him not just the highest-paid footballer, but the highest-paid athlete in sports history.
The timing of these developments is crucial. Vinícius' current contract with Real Madrid runs until June 2027, with his take-home pay at €17 million annually after tax. The club has already initiated early renewal talks, breaking from their usual protocol of beginning negotiations when players have two years remaining on their contracts.
Sources close to the situation reveal that Vinícius has harbored concerns about his role within the team, particularly following the arrivals of Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé. The Brazilian star reportedly feels there might be divided loyalties within the club regarding support for individual awards like the Ballon d'Or, where he finished second in 2024, ahead of teammates Bellingham (third) and Mbappé (sixth).
The situation is further complicated by Vinícius' experiences with racism in Spanish football. Despite bravely confronting these issues, he has admitted that such incidents leave him with "less and less desire to play," making the prospect of a fresh start in a new league potentially appealing.
Real Madrid's stance remains firm with a €1 billion release clause, though internal discussions suggest varying opinions on acceptable transfer fees. While club president Florentino Pérez maintains the full clause amount, others, including CEO José Ángel Sánchez, might consider offers between €350-400 million.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti maintains his support for Vinícius, stating, "As far as I'm aware -- and I have direct information from the player -- he's very happy here." However, Saudi Pro League CEO Omar Mugharbel's recent comments suggest ongoing interest: "We don't dream. It's a matter of time, and negotiations."
While sources indicate Vinícius is currently closer to staying than leaving, the unprecedented Saudi offer provides him with significant leverage in contract negotiations. As Real Madrid's history shows with departures like Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, the club has consistently demonstrated excellent timing in managing player exits.
The situation remains fluid, with Vinícius holding considerable negotiating power. Although a renewal with Real Madrid appears the most likely outcome, the mere existence of such a lucrative alternative has transformed what would typically be routine contract discussions into a high-stakes negotiation that could reshape football's financial landscape.
