Real Madrid News
Ex-Real Madrid goalkeeper comments on Vinicius contract situation: ‘Telling his agent to put pressure…’
With 2026 just around the corner, one of Real Madrid’s priorities in the new year will be to renew the contract of Vinicius Jr.
The Brazilian international’s current contract at Santiago Bernabeu expires in 2027, meaning he will enter the final 12 months of his deal by the start of next season.
Real Madrid have been in active negotiations with Vinicius Jr. for a while now, but are yet to reach an agreement with the Brazilian international.
A sticking point in the negotiations has been the salary the player is demanding, with Real Madrid unwilling to put him in the same bracket as star player Kylian Mbappe.
Santi Canizares on Vinicius contract situation
In a recent interview with COPE (h/t Mundo Deportivo), former Real Madrid goalkeeper Santi Canizares has offered his view on the Vinicius contract situation.
The Spaniard argued that the terms being demanded by Vinicius from Real Madrid don’t correlate with his recent performances.
“The fee, if it’s based on what Vinicius is doing, certainly doesn’t correspond to the figures being discussed, to what will be on the table. But the fact is, his fee doesn’t correspond to that of most of the Real Madrid players,” he said.
Canizares added that Real Madrid, should they reach an agreement with Vinicius Jr., will essentially be paying the player for what he was and what’s to come, rather than what he is now.
“The player is telling his agent to put pressure on the club because his contract is short and will end soon,” he added.
“He also said that the club should pay for the expectations and for what he was, because he was a great player who almost won the Ballon d’Or and won a Champions League title, scoring goals,” he concluded.
While Vinicius was indeed close to winning the Ballon d’Or in 2024, he has been barely a shadow of his former self since. This season, for example, he has racked up only six goals in all competitions, including the one scored in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Vinicius has been goalless in the last 16 consecutive matches for Real Madrid, which led to fans whilsting and booing him in the recent win over Sevilla.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid hope captain will resume group training tomorrow and be ready for Villarreal
Real Madrid received a major boost in training today as Kylian Mbappe participated in the group session, indicating his readiness for the upcoming game against Villarreal.
The French superstar had returned from international duty with a knee injury, but seems to have left it behind and appears ready to start at the Santiago Bernabeu come Saturday.
What about Federico Valverde?
Now, according to AS, Federico Valverde was not part of the group training session today at Valdebebas. Instead, he was involved in an individual session away from his teammates.
However, Real Madrid hope that their club captain will be able to resume working with the rest of the squad on Thursday, putting him in the fray to return in time for Saturday’s clash against Villarreal.
Valverde is currently recovering from an ankle sprain that he sustained in Real Madrid’s 2-1 derby defeat against Atletico Madrid prior to the international break.
The Uruguayan midfielder was on the receiving end of a harsh tackle from Kang-In Lee, which left him injured, ruling him out of action for the national team.
The 28-year-old stayed behind in Madrid and has worked hard on his recovery, with things progressing in the right direction.
What now remains to be seen is whether he can jump back into group training session on Thursday, which would put him on the path to return to action against Villarreal.
A key player for Mourinho
So far this season, Valverde has emerged as a permanent fixture in the team under new manager Jose Mourinho.
The Real Madrid captain has started all of the team’s eight matches in all competitions this term, scoring and assisting one goal apiece.
His potential availability for Saturday’s clash against Villarreal will come as a major boost for Mourinho & co. Everything will depend on how things progress in tomorrow’s training session at Valdebebas.
With Ibrahima Konate also recovering from his knee sprain, Real Madrid have only three players sidelined currently: Raul Asencio, who recently underwent surgery, Rodrygo Goes, who is a long-term absentee, and Ferland Mendy, who has resumed work with the ball.
