Real Madrid News
Real Madrid superstar’s camp refuses to meet club until contract offer is improved
A lot has been said about the Vinicius Jr. contract renewal saga at Real Madrid, for the player and the club are once again at odds after reportedly being close to an agreement.
Just when everything appeared set for the player to return from vacation and sign his renewal, the two parties have again hit a roadblock on the economic front with Los Blancos’ offer falling reasonably short of Vinicius’ expectations.
Needless to say, the club have stood firm on their offer and refused to dance to the player’s tune. They maintain that they will not hesitate to sell the player immediately if an agreement cannot be reached.
Internal unrest
As reported by Ramon Alvarez in a recent update, Vinicius’ entourage is experiencing severe internal tension due to all the rumours being spread about the player and his future in the media.
No official reapproachment or negotiations have taken place in recent weeks, yet the story on social media is portraying an image that talks have not been fruitful. The misrepresentation of facts, needless to say, hurts the player’s close circle.
As matters stand, Vinicius’ agents are refusing to hold any meeting with Real Madrid’s management until the club raises their economic offer to the player’s liking. As matters stand, the figure they are offering stands around the €20 million mark.
A difference of 25%
As relayed in recent weeks, the figure Vinicius Jr. is demanding from Real Madrid is the same as what Kylian Mbappe currently earns at the club and the player is pushing to be placed on the same slab.
To hit that number, however, the club need to make a sizeable boost in their offer – one along the lines of 25% to 50% of what they are currently offering.
The Brazilian star’s expectations exceed Real Madrid’s offer of €20 million by €6 million to €10 million – a number that is significantly higher than the current proposal.
Going purely based on how far the two parties currently are, the chances of an agreement materialising appear highly complicated. One of the two parties must cave into the pressure of the other if the deal is to go through at this point.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid relationship with Ballon d’Or organisers improving after major fallout – report
Real Madrid’s relationship with the Ballon d’Or suffered a spectacular fallout a couple of seasons ago during the saga involving Vinicius Junior.
However, according to MARCA (h/t Madrid Zone), relations between Madrid and the Ballon d’Or organisers are slowly improving and veering towards normality again.
Madrid and Ballon d’Or rebuilding relationship
The dispute erupted around the 2024 ceremony after Madrid learned that Vinicius Junior would not win the Ballon d’Or, with Manchester City midfielder Rodri ultimately receiving the award.
Madrid reacted strongly, deciding not to send their delegation to the ceremony in Paris despite several representatives being expected to attend.
The decision turned what should have been a celebration of Madrid’s successful season into a major controversy.
The club’s absence also made clear that the disagreement extended beyond disappointment over one individual award.
Relations subsequently became extremely strained. Now, however, the situation appears to be changing.
A significant change after 2024
For Madrid, rebuilding the relationship does not mean forgetting what happened.
The club felt strongly about the treatment surrounding the 2024 ceremony, particularly after Vinicius had been widely viewed inside Madrid as deserving of the prize.
However, remaining in a permanent dispute with one of football’s most prestigious institutions offers limited benefit.
Madrid routinely have players competing for the biggest individual honours in the sport.
Maintaining a functional relationship with the Ballon d’Or organisers is therefore the more practical position.
It is a work in progress to return the relationship to where it was before the 2024 controversy, but a first step is always good news.
A player like Kylian Mbappe is in the running to win the Ballon d’Or this year, and it would be important to mend fences ahead of a potential accolade.
Tensions beginning to ease
The important development is simply that the relationship is moving in a more positive direction.
It is significant considering how publicly and dramatically Madrid distanced themselves from the ceremony two years ago.
Ultimately, the understanding that the Ballon d’Or is an award decided by voting would help resolve a lot of this controversy.
There is absolutely no doubt that Vinicius Junior deserved to win the award in 2024 for the season he had, but that is in the past.
Madrid do not need to forget, but it is important that they mend fences with the organisers ahead of potential accolades for their superstars in the coming years.
