Real Madrid News
“If you’re happy, stay” – Former Real Madrid director blasts Vinicius over contract demands
Former Real Madrid striker and sporting director Predrag Mijatovic has reignited the debate surrounding Vinicius Jr.’s contract situation, directly criticising the Brazilian’s reported demand for a pay rise comparable to that of Kylian Mbappe.
Vinicius, whose current deal with Los Blancos runs until 2027, is reportedly seeking a substantial salary increase as part of renewal talks.
However, negotiations have stalled, with Real Madrid showing little interest in matching the forward’s lofty financial expectations.
Speaking on Cadena SER radio (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Mijatovic made it clear where he stands on the matter.
“Real Madrid has been managing salaries very well over the last decade,” said the former Madrid director
He further reminded that, “with the renewals of Cristiano, Modric, and Ramos, they let players go because they didn’t want to get into a bidding war to pay them more.”
‘Vinicius is making a mistake’
According to reports, the club is determined to maintain their wage structure despite the growing influence of Mbappe’s recent arrival.
Vinicius, meanwhile, believes his performances and long-term commitment warrant parity with the French superstar.
But Mijatovic believes the Brazilian is heading down the wrong path. Offering some pointed advice, he said,
“If he wants to be paid like Mbappe, I think he’s making a mistake.”
He went on to explain, “Mbappe has to have a high salary because he came for free and because Madrid didn’t pay a transfer fee for him, etc., etc…”
The former Madrid legend also made it clear that players should not let money overshadow their happiness or loyalty to the club.
“These things are very clear. There’s no need to look for rivalry in this sense, who’s going to be better paid.
“If you’re happy, stay, and if not, look for a new life outside the club,” said Mijatovic, addressing Vinicius’ situation directly.
The Real Madrid board reportedly share Mijatovic’s view, prioritising financial balance and discipline over individual wage demands.
While the club remains eager to keep Vinicius, they are unlikely to break their salary structure, even for one of their brightest stars.
Real Madrid’s adventure so far under new coach Jose Mourinho has been far from perfect and this fact shouldn’t be lost even after the team’s brilliant comeback win over AS Roma in midweek.
However, there are areas where Los Blancos have shown a clear improvement under Mourinho, when compared to previous bosses such as Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa.
One of those areas has been set plays, with Real Madrid appearing far more potent from set pieces this season.
A clear improvement from last season
As reported by Diario AS, the three goals in Rome, all from Arda Guler corners inside a seven-minute blitz, were the perfect advert for the work being done at Valdebebas.
Those strikes took Real Madrid’s set-piece tally to seven goals in just ten matches this season. Four of them have come in La Liga, one from a corner and three from free kicks, with the trio in Rome completing the haul.
It is a striking figure when set against last season’s return. Under Alonso and Arbeloa, Madrid managed 12 set-piece goals across the entire campaign, all in La Liga, split evenly between six from corners and six from free kicks.
On current trends, this side looks well placed to surpass that number comfortably.
The reason behind Real Madrid’s improvement
Attacking set pieces are led at Valdebebas by Pedro Machado, with the whole coaching staff involved and Mourinho himself giving the final green light on every routine.
Defending them, meanwhile, falls to Sami Khedira, though it is treated as a collective effort. Mourinho’s appreciation of that teamwork was clear when Bellingham headed in a Guler free kick against Espanyol, prompting the manager to leap up and embrace his assistants.
Machado, one of Mourinho’s most trusted lieutenants, has followed him from Fenerbahce to Benfica and now Madrid, part of a backroom team blending experience with young, ambitious talent.
On the pitch, Guler is the undisputed master when available, his left foot the key weapon, with Bernardo Silva, Trent Alexander-Arnold and even Diomande also trusted to initiate attacks.
Such meticulous strategy has helped Real Madrid turn into a potent side from set-pieces this season.
