Vinicius’s future is up in the air, and the player has set a departure date from Real Madrid

The Spanish newspaper Marca has cast doubt on the future of Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior at Real Madrid, particularly after his unexpected loss to Manchester City’s Rodri for the 2024 Ballon d’Or. Marca, known for its close ties to the Madrid club, reported that Vinicius’s situation is uncertain, describing it as a complex dilemma, especially after the disappointing Ballon d’Or outcome for both him and the club management.

Vinicius is under contract with Real Madrid until June 2027, and the club has protected him with a hefty buyout clause of one billion euros. Nevertheless, the club’s management is open to his departure, adhering to their philosophy of retaining players who want to stay, but on their terms.

Interest in Vinicius has been expressed by Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, but a potential Saudi offer, rumored to be around one billion euros, could significantly change the situation and lead him away from European football altogether. Marca also noted that Vinicius has spoken with a key figure at Real Madrid about the economic and sporting implications of his options, which has surprised the club’s leadership.

Additionally, it was reported that Vinicius has set a timeline for considering offers from Saudi clubs, indicating he would evaluate them after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup.