Real Madrid News
Real Madrid superstar’s renewal on track despite slow progress; both parties committed
According to a recent report from AS, there has been a positive development in the ongoing situation surrounding Vinicius Jr.’s contract renewal with Real Madrid.
While negotiations remain somewhat uncertain and have yet to reach a formal conclusion, both the club and the Brazilian forward are said to be aligned in their intentions, which is to continue together at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The 25-year-old’s current deal runs until 2027, but renewal talks were put on hold last summer, leading to speculation about his long-term future.
Fortunately for Madrid fans, those doubts appear to be easing. The latest update confirms that the tension following the El Clasico incident has not influenced the club’s view of him, nor has it strained the relationship between the player and management.
There is optimism
At this stage, both sides remain optimistic. Vinicius, who has grown into one of the most influential figures at Real Madrid over the past few years, wants to stay.
However, the arrival of Kylian Mbappe las year has somewhat altered the dynamic within the squad, forcing Vinicius to adapt to a new tactical and emotional role.
Sources close to the dressing room claim that Vinicius is still adjusting to this change.
While Xabi Alonso continues to publicly praise him in press conferences, there is a quiet sense that Vinicius feels his style of play is not fully valued under the new system.
So what now?
For now, Real Madrid have chosen to postpone formal discussions until the end of the campaign, allowing the player to fully focus on his performances.
The club believes the environment will be clearer by then, both competitively and financially.
It is also worth noting that Vinicius’ wage package plays a major role in these talks. The Brazilian currently earns €15 million net per season, along with a lucrative performance bonus tied to his individual accolades, such as “The Best” award.
His initial renewal demands have sought a substantial pay rise, but the club is reluctant to meet those figures.
While no signature is imminent, the path toward renewal looks increasingly positive. Real Madrid remain intent on keeping Vinicius, and the player shares a similar idea.
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.
