Real Madrid News
Real Madrid initiate contacts to renew €200 million-rated megastar amid Saudi interest
While Vinicius Jr. might not have won the Ballon d’Or award for 2024, in Real Madrid’s eyes, he is the rightful winner.
Last season, the 24-year-old superstar was instrumental in the club winning the Champions League and La Liga, proving he could become the face of the project for many years to come.
Real Madrid want to renew Vinicius’ contract
As such, according to journalist Jorge C Picon, Real Madrid intend to renew Vinicius Jr.’s contract and offer him improved terms.
In fact, the Spanish capital club have already contacted the Brazilian’s agents to begin negotiating a renewal. This represents a show of affection and value from the club, as well as a way to ward off potential suitors who are knocking at the door with multi-million offers.
As per the report, these initial contacts took place a few months ago after Real Madrid felt that Vinicius’ successful season last time out warranted improved conditions.
After all, the Brazilian winger was a La Liga and Champions League winner and the best player in the continental tournament.
Furthermore, the board did not want him to feel relegated to second place with Kylian Mbappe’s arrival and felt that he too needed to be treated as one of the leaders of both present and future.
Vini in no hurry
With all these factors in play, the intention to offer him a new contract was conveyed. For now, the situation has not progressed.
Vinicius Jr. listened to the request and appreciated the interest. However, the negotiation remained at that summer approach, and there is no rush for it to begin.
The player has a good contract, that he signed only last yaer, and is waiting for the best possible moment to sit down with the club again to discuss an improvement.
Vinicius’ current contract ends in 2027 but there is the threat of Saudi Arabia looming in the background, with them offering him a €1 billion deal over five seasons to make him the highest-paid footballer in the world.
The Middle Eastern country wants to make him the face of their league and is willing to do anything to achieve it. The recent Ballon d’Or snub has only encouraged them to try again next year. So, Real Madrid will be eager to get Vinicius’ renewal over the line at the earliest.
Real Madrid News
Barcelona superstar reveals desire to face Real Madrid in the Champions League: ‘I would like us to face each other’
The explosion of talent at Barcelona and Real Madrid in recent years has made El Clasico a hugely anticipated fixture this upcoming season.
It has always been one of the most anticipated fixtures in club football, but the hype surrounding it has only increased with the return of Jose Mourinho.
Arguably, the biggest talking point of Clasicos in the past couple of years has been the battle between Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal.
The 19-year-old says he would like Barça and Real Madrid to finally meet in the Champions League.
Lamine wants a Champions League Clasico
Speaking on Movistar Plus’ Universo Valdano, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo, Lamine discussed the rivalry and explained why Clasicos carry a different meaning for players who have grown up inside Barcelona’s academy.
“When you come from La Masia, from the first Clasico you play you already know what this is about and you know that this match is a war,” Lamine said.
He then turned his attention towards Europe and something remarkably absent from the history of his young career.
“We have never faced Madrid in the Champions League. I would like us to face each other in the Champions League,” he said.
It would certainly be one of the biggest possible ties in European football. For Madrid, however, those words would hardly create any fear.
The Champions League is the competition most closely associated with the club’s identity, and a European Clasico would carry a completely different pressure from the league meetings Lamine already knows.
Lamine’s desire to face the kings of the Champions League shows his fearlessness, but Los Blancos will know that they have the emotional edge in such a situation.
Jose Mourinho will be determined to set the Clasico record straight
It is no secret that Barcelona have had the edge over Real Madrid in Clasicos in recent seasons, especially since the arrival of Hansi Flick.
However, if there is one person who understands the intricacies of the fixture better than anyone else, it is Jose Mourinho.
During his first stint at the club, his battles with Pep Guardiola in these fixtures were so intense that they bordered on toxicity.
He will be keen to get Madrid back on top and gain that early advantage against Hansi Flick, and it remains to be seen how the Clasicos play out this season.
