Real Madrid News
Real Madrid schedule key July meeting with superstar forward as contract renewal gathers momentum
Real Madrid are moving closer to securing one of their biggest priorities ahead of the new season, with Vinicius Jr.’s long-term future expected to be addressed before the squad returns for pre-season.
The Brazilian forward has been at the centre of contract discussions for several months, but negotiations are now entering a decisive phase.
According to AS, Real Madrid and Vinicius have already agreed to hold a meeting during the final days of July with the aim of finalising a new contract that would keep the Brazilian at the Santiago Bernabeu beyond 2027.
The latest development comes shortly after Vinicius completed his FIFA World Cup campaign, with both the player and the club using the opportunity to reaffirm their shared desire to continue together.
That mutual understanding has significantly increased confidence that an agreement is now within reach.
Real Madrid and Vinicius share the same objective
As per the outlet, the upcoming meeting is not expected to be about convincing either side to continue the relationship.
Rather, it is viewed as the final step towards agreeing the remaining contractual details before an official announcement.
Throughout the discussions, Vinicius has repeatedly communicated his desire to remain at Real Madrid.
The Brazilian has informed club president Florentino Perez and senior executives that he sees his future at the Bernabeu and is fully committed to continuing as one of the faces of the club’s long-term project.
Furthermore, Real Madrid’s position has been equally clear, as the board considers Vinicius one of the foundations of the current squad and have consistently prioritised extending his contract.
The confidence within Valdebebas has grown to the point where club officials no longer view the situation as a source of concern.
Instead, there is increasing belief that the winger will begin the new campaign with a renewed deal already signed.
Contract renewal part of Real Madrid’s strategy
It is known that new Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has become increasingly influential in several sporting decisions since returning to the club and Vinicius’ renewal is understood to be part of the same strategy.
Real Madrid have focused on securing the futures of their most important players before making major moves elsewhere in the market.
Notably, Aurelien Tchouameni recently committed his future by signing a new deal until 2031, and Vinicius has always been viewed as the next priority on that list.
Although Mourinho has played an active role in transfer planning and recruitment, the club is equally committed to retaining the core group of players and Vinicius is certainly a part of that.
Real Madrid News
Inter Milan boss Chivu praises Mourinho ahead of Real Madrid showdown: ‘A special person’
Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu has described Jose Mourinho as “a special person” ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Romanian spent two seasons playing under Mourinho at Inter between 2008 and 2010, a period that culminated in the club winning the Champions League at the very same stadium in 2010.
A serial winner
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chivu reflected warmly on his former manager.
“He’s a special person who I was lucky enough to meet in my life. He gave me important help during a difficult period of my life, and I’ll never forget that,” Chivu said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Chivu also praised Mourinho’s ability to influence the teams he manages and instil his mentality in his players.
“He’s very good at immersing himself in the reality of the team he represents and transmitting his mentality. He’s a winner who knows how to communicate things at the right moment. Very few people know how to do that like he does,” he said.
“He has won everywhere he has been, and I’m sure Real Madrid will have a great season.”
Despite his admiration for Mourinho, Chivu insisted that the Portuguese has not served as a template for his own coaching career.
Asked whether he takes inspiration from his former manager, the Inter boss replied: “I’ve never copied anyone. I have my own idea of football, which has been built through my years as a player and as a coach.”
Chivu assesses Mourinho’s Real Madrid
Chivu believes it is still too early to draw firm conclusions about Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid.
“It’s still very early. It has been a fairly balanced start, although they lost their last match undeservedly because they played very well,” he said.
“They’re a team with a great history and a coach who knows how to do things.”
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone”
With Mourinho in the dugout and Chivu in defence, Inter defeated Bayern Munich in the 2010 Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The now-Inter manager believes returning to the stadium where they lifted the trophy 16 years ago will provide a special occasion, although he knows the challenge facing his team.
“The stadium has been renovated and it’s even more beautiful. It has a great tradition and today it’s more beautiful and more modern. We like playing a Champions League match in this stadium,” he said.
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone. Inter haven’t won here for 60 years. We’ll do everything possible and we want to show that we’re competitive and that we have the desire to dominate.
“There’s no perfect way to play against Real Madrid because they have players who can make the difference regardless of the plan you have.”
Inter arrive in Madrid after recovering from a difficult game against Napoli, while Chivu prepares to face the coach who played such an important role in his career.
