Real Madrid News
Real Madrid superstar looking to spoil Barcelona’s party heading into El Clasico
At a time when Kylian Mbappe has been absent and has faced immense criticism, Vinicius Jr. has emerged as a knight in shining armour for Real Madrid.
In this calendar year, Vinicius has objectively performed better than Mbappe and has emerged as the club’s top performer. Quite naturally, therefore, the team will rely on him as they take on Barcelona in El Clasico this Sunday.
Vinicius looking to spoil the party
According to Mundo Deportivo, Vinicius arrives at the Camp Nou in the best form of his season. He is now highly motivated and determined to prevent Barcelona from celebrating the title on their own turf.
His two goals against Espanyol last Sunday lifted his spirits significantly after a season that has been an emotional rollercoaster.
The Bernabeu crowd has booed him more than they have cheered him this campaign, but his recent performances have quietened the critics considerably.
In the last three league matches alone, Vinicius has scored four goals, contributing to five valuable points for Real Madrid.
Those strikes have already denied Barcelona the title on two occasions, and he will be looking to do the same on Sunday.
The numbers backing up his form are equally impressive. He has scored 21 goals this season across all competitions, including 15 in La Liga, and has now scored over 20 goals in five consecutive seasons. He is just two shy of matching his best-ever La Liga tally of 17 goals.
Beyond the numbers, the report highlights Vinicius’ commitment to the club at a time when Mbappe’s dedication has been openly questioned.
A strong performance against Barcelona may also go a long way in helping him speed up the negotiations over his new contract at the Bernabeu.
La Liga released the salary limits of all 20 clubs yesterday and, rather unsurprisingly, Real Madrid were once again the club with the highest limit.
Los Blancos saw their salary cap increase to €832.8 million, underlining the exceptionally strong financial position they continue to occupy.
Now, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo, La Liga corporate director Javier Gomez explained the mechanism under which Madrid saw their salary limit increase.
La Liga explains Madrid’s increase
Gomez explained that the increase comes from a rule available to financially healthy clubs that meet the required economic ratios.
“It is normal. Under the regulations, certain clubs that meet specific ratios and have healthy accounts can use savings accumulated from previous years to increase their limit,” Gomez said.
That explanation is important because Madrid’s increased spending capacity is directly connected to the club’s financial position rather than an exceptional concession from La Liga.
“They can request an increase of up to 25% and they use it. One thing is requesting it and another is actually using it,” he added.
Madrid rewarded for healthy finances
For Real Madrid, the key phrase is “healthy accounts.”
La Liga’s system effectively allows qualifying clubs to make use of financial strength built up in previous seasons.
Madrid have therefore been able to convert accumulated savings into greater flexibility within their squad cost limit.
That does not mean the club must spend everything available to them. As Gomez stressed, being authorised to increase the limit and actually using that entire capacity are two different things.
It nevertheless leaves Madrid with considerable room when planning contracts, renewals and future transfer windows.
Financial strength gives Madrid options
Los Blancos made several marquee signings this summer who would definitely have arrived with significant contract demands.
More importantly, the club committed a lot of money to the renewal of Vinicius Jr. back in the summer.
Since the close of the transfer window, the club have turned their attention to renewing the contracts of their other superstars.
It has been revealed that Madrid have effectively agreed a contract renewal with shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois.
Los Blancos are also accelerating talks to renew Jude Bellingham’s contract before English clubs enter the scene.
Madrid’s strong financial position is allowing them to position themselves aggressively when it comes to securing the future of the squad.
Having the option is valuable, and it remains to be seen how the club use it.
