Vinícius Jr refuses Real Madrid renewal over Alonso
Real Madrid is reportedly facing a major internal crisis after star forward Vinícius Júnior informed the club that he will not renew his contract while his relationship with head coach Xabi Alonso remains strained.
According to multiple sources, Vinícius communicated his decision privately to club president Florentino Pérez in a late-October meeting. His current deal runs through June 2027, but negotiations for an extension have been largely frozen.
Tensions between Vinícius and Alonso date back to the summer. During the Club World Cup semi-final, Alonso planned to bench Vinícius though, due to an injury elsewhere, Vinícius was instead deployed on the right wing, a role he dislikes. Since then, his playing time has dropped: he’s only completed five of Madrid’s 17 matches this season.
The breaking point came after Real Madrid’s El Clásico win over Barcelona on October 26, when Vinícius angrily reacted to being substituted, reportedly shouting, “Always me … I’m leaving the team … It’s better if I leave.” He later apologised, but notably did not mention Alonso in his apology a detail that has raised eyebrows.
Financial issues also appear to be part of the standoff. Madrid reportedly offered Vinícius around €20 million net per season, but his camp is pushing for €30 million, including bonuses a figure that would rival historic contracts.
From the club’s perspective, they insist there’s no major internal crisis, portraying the contract freeze as a negotiation issue rather than a personal fallout. Alonso, for his part, has defended his use of the squad and called the player rotations “necessary.”
The reported “irreparable” rift has sparked concern among fans and observers, who wonder whether Real Madrid might be forced to consider selling one of its most talented players if relations don’t improve.
